Poll shows Miller-Meeks trailing incumbent Loebsack by 3 percentage points

CEDAR RAPIDS - In a congressional district where Republicans run third to Democrats and no party voters, GOP challenger Mariannette Miller-Meeks is running just 3 percentage points behind her four-term rival, according to a new poll.

'It's definitely close,” according to Miller-Meeks campaign spokesman Matt Sauvage.

The telephone survey of 400 likely voters conducted by the Tarrance Group found Democratic U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack leading 45 percent to 42 percent, which is within the poll's margin of error. The pollster also found that 28 percent believe Loebsack deserves re-election, while 52 percent say it's time for someone new.

'There is no doubt our message of cleaning up the dysfunctional mess in Washington is resonating,” Miller-Meeks said. 'Iowans are sick and tired of Washington politicians who say one thing here at home, then do another in D.C.”

However, Loebsack's campaign manager dismissed the poll, saying Miller-Meeks has used misleading polls in her two previous campaigns against Loebsack.

'From flip-flopping on cap and trade and the individual mandate to misrepresenting polling results and using rhetoric from right wing websites to peddle false stories about hard working Iowans, the real story here is Dr. Miller-Meeks' countless attempts to mislead the public,” said Jennie Johnson.

Sauvage said it's clear the momentum 'is squarely behind Dr. Miller-Meeks because she is a proven leader with a compelling biography.”

'People across the district are checking their pay stubs, reading the health insurance letters, and looking at Washington yearning for someone who is going to be part of the solution, not amplify the problem,” he said. 'They look at Dave Loebsack's eight years in office and realize it's time for someone new who they can trust.”

The poll was conducted Aug. 3-5 using live telephone surveys.