Loebsack holds onto his 2nd District seat

Supporters of Iowa Rep. Dave Loebsack were hopeful the two-term Democrat could hold on to a 16 percentage point lead he had over Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks a little after 10 p.m.

"It's always nice to be on top from the git-go," said Jerimie Maker, 35, of Cedar Rapids.

Maker was one of about 150 Democrats gathered at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 405 on Wiley Boulevard in Cedar Rapids. The group, which included more men in sweatshirts than suits, cheered when they saw Democrats winning in elections in Iowa and other states.

Loebsack, a 57-year-old former political science professor, had not yet turned out at the event, but was expected any time.

With 23 percent of precincts reporting at about 10:05 p.m., Loebsack had 57 percent of the vote, while Miller-Meeks held 41 percent.

Miller-Meeks said she was pleased her numbers were rising as the reporting continued throughout the night.

“We're feeling good,” she said. “As long as we keep going up, that's what we're trying to achieve.”

Miller-Meeks, 55, said she was calm and relaxed on election day, baking three carrot cakes for her campaign celebration at the Kinnick Stadium press box. The evening is a celebration of everyone's efforts, win or lose, she said. About 200 supporters were on hand.

Miller-Meeks said she needs to win Linn County and some southern counties in the district to counteract the Democratic-leaning areas like Johnson County.

The 2nd District has 15 counties, including Linn and Johnson, and stretches from the Missouri state border north and east to the Mississippi River.

Compared to her campaign two years ago against Loebsack, Miller-Meeks said she felt much more positive energy this time around.

“So much more, we call it MMM momentum … on our side,” she said.

Miller-Meeks, an ophthalmologist from Ottumwa, said she didn't work full-time at her job during this election campaign and it paid off in more grassroots support. Her campaign did forums on health care, cap and trade and economics, and made use of telephone town halls.

“It gave people an opportunity to get to know me as a candidate,” she said. “We had so many more people on the ground this time.”

Iowa is one of two states that has never elected a woman to U.S. Senate, Congress or its governorship.

“I think it's time that we walk on shattered glass,” Miller-Meeks said.

Leta M. Wall, 88, of Cedar Rapids, said she supports Loebsack because of his advocacy for seniors. "I was happy with his vote for the Older Americans Act," Wall said. "That money pays for meals and transportation. I really think he is a people's candidate."

[nggallery id=405]