Murphy wins Democratic nomination in 1st District race

Iowa state Rep. Pat Murphy of Dubuque fended off four Democratic challengers to become the party's nominee for the 1st District congressional seat in Tuesday's primary election.

Murphy, 54, received just more than the 35 percent of the vote needed to prevent the race from going to nominating convention, according to unofficial results.

Murphy said he was feeling good Tuesday night and was happy to avoid a convention.

'I'll tell you right now, we have a very experienced team, and we focused on all 20 counties,” Murphy said. 'I know we didn't win Black Hawk and Linn, but we won every other county in the district.”

He added, 'Across the district, we want people to know that they feel they are well represented.”

With nearly all precincts reporting, Murphy received 10,075 votes, or 36.8 percent. He needed 35 percent to avoid a convention, where 1st District delegates would have picked the nominee.

His opponents' unofficial totals are as follows: Cedar Rapids City Councilwoman Monica Vernon received 6,409 votes, or 23.4 percent; former state lawmaker Swati Dandekar of Marion received 5,049 votes, or 18.4 percent; state Rep. Anesa Kajtazovic of Waterloo received 4,043 votes, or 14.7 percent; and Cedar Rapids attorney Dave O'Brien received 1,819 votes, or 6.6 percent.

Murphy said he anticipated he would not have to go to convention, but he said his four Democratic opponents are 'admirable candidates.”

Though Murphy was seen as a favorite, given his name recognition and years of experience, the other candidates had hoped to prevent him from reaching that 35 percent threshold.

Kajtazovic, 27, carried Black Hawk County, winning 58.7 percent of the vote. Murphy collected 21.1 percent in his second-place finish in the county.

Kajtazovic said she will work hard for the Democratic nominees, including Murphy, in the general election.

'I'm proud of the campaign that we ran. Considering we were outspent 10 to 1, I'm proud of the campaign we ran,” Kajtazovic said.

As for what's next for her, Kajtazovic said she recognizes there are ways to make a difference outside of elected office, and she'll continue to work as an advocate and volunteer for issues important to her.

'All I can say is, I will work very hard at whatever my next chapter is,” Kajtazovic said.

Iowa's 1st District covers 20 counties in northeast Iowa. The seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, a Democrat, who is making a bid for U.S. Senate.

Murphy will face Dubuque businessman Rod Blum in the general election, who won his primary with 55 percent of the vote.

Murphy said in the general election he will continue to push the message of broad-based support and focus on issues, like fighting against Republican budgetary proposals and working to ensure Congress keeps its priorities on families and opportunities for the middle class.