A Democrat hoping to flip one of the country’s most competitive House seats called her state a "backwater" over Republican efforts to bar transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports, according to unearthed footage obtained by Fox News Digital.House candidate Christina Bohannan made the comments during a 2021 legislative forum while opposing a GOP proposal barring biological males from competing on female sports teams.Bohannan's comments could provide fresh ammunition for Republicans as the repeat candidate seeks a third bid against Rep.Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, in a swing district that President Donald Trump carried by more than eight points in 2024."They’re introducing these bills and making these comments to try to make a point," Bohannan, who previously served in the Iowa state legislature, said, referring to her GOP colleagues.
"And I think even that is really damaging to people and sends a very bad message about our state that’s going to make the state look like a backwater."Christina Bohannan, candidate for Iowa's 1st Congressional District, holds a press conference after a visit to the Washington County Hospitals & Clinics on July 30, 2025, in Washington, Iowa.(Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen)FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS: DEMOCRATS LEAD IN THE HOUSE, BUT REDISTRICTING KEEPS THE GOP IN THE GAMEIowa, under Republican Gov.
Kim Reynolds, enacted a transgender athletes ban in 2022.Bohannan voted against the measure.The comments are the latest instance of Bohannan torching Iowa for rejecting left-wing policies.Bohannan also said in 2021 the Hawkeye State would be seen as "backwards" if lawmakers approved a bill prohibiting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training at public schools and universities.
Reynolds signed the legislation later that year."I think that it's going to send a very bad message about Iowa and that it is going to seem like…this backwards state that doesn't understand there are things like systemic racism," the ...