Christina Bohannan, a leading Democratic recruit running against Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, has balanced support for Israel with criticism of its war in Gaza in public comments.

Bohannan, as a result of the advantageous national and statewide environment for Democrats, is now seen as the favorite in the race. In the 2024 election, when she also ran against Miller-Meeks, Bohannan, a former state lawmaker, lost by just 799 votes. The Cook Political Report rates the seat as “lean Democrat,” and a House GOP leadership-aligned super PAC recently pulled funding out of the district.

In an August interview with a local news station, Bohannan defended Israel as a U.S. ally but also criticized its prosecution of the war in Gaza.

“I have always thought that Israel is an ally of the United States. Israel has a right to exist, and has over the last many decades faced existential threats from others in the region, including the possibility of a nuclear Iran,” she said. “However, there is no question that the war in Gaza has gone on for far too long. It has killed tens of thousands of innocent people, and it needs to end, just as the Iran war needs to end.”

Pressed by the anchor on the difference between her and other Democrats’ criticisms of Israel and defense of Ukraine, Bohannan responded, “Well I think it’s pretty clear that Russia was the aggressor.”

When the anchor interjected to note that Hamas was also the aggressor against Israel, launching its Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, she acknowledged, “Yes, absolutely. There are issues here that we have to work through. It’s very clear that, you know, a lot of this violence has gone too far. But at the same time, we have to make sure that Israel can continue to defend itself and make sure that we do not have a nuclear Iran. Those are going to be priorities.”

Bohannan did not specify in the interview how she would approach issues related to U.S. aid to Israel as a member of Congress, and her campaign has not responded to requests for comment.

She faced protests from anti-Israel demonstrators in 2024 who accused her of being silent about the war in Gaza and for not calling for a ceasefire or an end to U.S. aid.

She has said little publicly about Israel or the Gaza war, but condemned Hamas and expressed support for Israel immediately after Oct. 7, and criticized dysfunction in the House as blocking the U.S.’ ability to come to Israel’s aid (the chamber was in the midst of a fight over its next speaker at the time).

In November 2023, she expressed concern about a statement by the University of Iowa College Democrats that “used particular language commonly used by Hamas and other terrorist groups to advocate for the elimination of Israel.” 

“I am glad to see that the students listened to feedback they received, removed the statement in its entirety, and apologized for any hurt or offense they caused to the Jewish community,” she said. “I hope we can all agree that calls for Israel to be eliminated are wholly unacceptable and should never, under any circumstances, have a place in civilized discourse.”

In October 2025, she praised the hostage deal that brought an end to the war, saying “please, let this be an end to the violence.”

Like most Democrats, Bohannan has been strongly critical of the Iran war, emphasizing its impact on prices at home and the loss of U.S. soldiers and blasting Miller-Meeks for voting repeatedly against war powers resolutions to halt the war.

Miller-Meeks ultimately flipped her position and supported the most recent war powers effort that came through the chamber.

Miller-Meeks has also been active on legislation related to antisemitism, leading a bill that would establish an independent commission on antisemitism. She has maintained a consistent pro-Israel record.

The Jewish Democratic Council of America endorsed Bohannan, calling her an “outspoken opponent of antisemitism and hate speech.”

J Street has also endorsed Bohannan, as well as Sarah Trone Garriott, the Democrat running against Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA), who has been a strong supporter of Israel and a rising voice on national security issues in the GOP. Cook also rates Nunn’s district, the Des Moines-based 3rd, as “lean Democratic.”

Trone Garriott’s policy on Israel is largely unknown, and her campaign declined to make her available for an interview with Jewish Insider.