First Congressional District Candidates to Face Off in Thursday Debate

By Jill Kasparie, Reporter

Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Waterloo, left, and Republican challenger Ben Lange, of Independence, right, shake hands after a debate on the Wartburg College Campus, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010 in Waverly, Iowa. (AP Photo/Waterloo Courier, Matthew Putney)

Tools

By Rachel Begle

Story Created: Nov 1, 2012 at 7:01 AM CDT

Story Updated: Nov 1, 2012 at 4:37 PM CDT

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Thursday night both candidates from Iowa's First Congressional District are facing off in one of the most highly contested races in the Hawkeye State.

The competition is between incumbent Bruce Braley and his Republican opponent Ben Lange. It's rare for two candidates to face one another in back-to-back elections, but that's exactly what's happening. Bruce Braley is trying to hold off Ben Lange for the second time, but the circumstances are different this year. The first district looks considerably different after an extensive redistricting process.

After the 2010 census showed Iowa had a slow growing population, the state changed district boundaries. That created four congressional districts instead of the five that existed before. They are much bigger too. The first district, for example, now has 20 counties instead of 12. Some counties also shifted districts. Linn County moved from the second district to the first district.

Braley has held the first district congressional for three terms. If this election is anything like 2010, the 2012 competition will be a close one. Lange came within less than 2 percentage points of defeating Braley. The democrat is hoping he'll keep his supporters like he has in the past, while Lange hopes the congressional redistricting will work in his favor.

Voters have one more chance to hear what the two have to say. The duo will debate at 7 p.m. Thursday night from the Grand Opera House in Dubuque. It’s part of a series of debates organized by Iowa Public Television. Voters are welcome to attend. Organizers are asking people to get there early and get seated by 6:45.

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.


read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Crime, sexual abuse, property fires, automobile accidents, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.

What's On KCRG