OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Iowa Democrat Attorney General Tom Miller has been defeated by Republican challenger Brenna Bird in a race that became closely watched by many in the state. The Associated Press called the race with Bird receiving 50.8% of the vote, while Miller received 49.2% of the vote.
The Democrat held the seat for 38 years and was the longest-serving attorney general in U.S. history. Bird, who was backed by many top Republicans in the state, credited law enforcement agents in her victory speech for her success.
“We back the blue here in Iowa don’t we? And, tonight our success was due to the law enforcement support that we had. I’ll tell you what, I am looking forward to the next four years. We are going to back the blue, we are going to help crime victims. I’ll tell you what, I am looking forward to the next four years. We are going to back the blue, we are going to help crime victims,” Bird said.
“Of course, we’re disappointed with the result tonight. But briefly, a short time ago I called Brenna Bird, congratulated her, and told her she’s going to get a great job. And it is an absolutely great job,” Miller told reporters after the loss.
"Republican Flips Iowa's Attorney General Seat Red, Ends Dem's 40-Year Reign"
In a very tight race Republican Brenna Bird beat Democrat Tom Miller, who'd been the state AG for 40 years. Miller called Bird to tell her he was conceding the race.https://t.co/XPxrlSbkfH— Gray Wolf (@graywolf442) November 11, 2022
Former President Donald Trump endorsed Bird a few days after sharing a stage with her in Sioux City., Iowa, earlier this year.
“Brenna Bird backs the Blue and will always fight for our tremendous men and women of Law Enforcement,” Trump said in the statement. “Next week Brenna will defeat a very lazy and weak on crime Tom Miller, the longest serving Democrat Attorney General in the country!”
Bird was congratulated by the Republican Attorneys General Association, which helped fund her campaign.
“Nearly all of Iowa’s sheriffs, both Democrats, and Republicans, endorsed AG-elect Bird, a former prosecutor because she is focused on beefing up the criminal justice system, advocating for victims of crime, and standing up for law enforcement. She will also push back against the reckless policies coming out of Washington, D.C. or Des Moines that make it harder to lock up the bad guys and prevent law enforcement from doing their job,” Wilson added.
On the campaign trail, Bird vowed to sue the Biden administration and hold them accountable.
“I have news for Joe Biden when I’m attorney general,” Bird said at the Iowa State Fair. “I’ll see you in court.”
“When it comes to holding the Biden administration accountable, it looks like our attorney general is Biden’s attorney general,” Bird said at the Des Moines Register Political Soapbox. “When I’m attorney general, I’m going to be Iowa’s attorney general.”
“Other Republicans were also successful in Iowa’s elections, the AP noted. The GOP expanded its majority in the legislature, while Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds was re-elected and Republican Roby Smith won the contest for state treasurer. Other races throughout the country have remained too close to call. The U.S. is still waiting on a handful of Senate races, many House races, and some gubernatorial races as well, according to FiveThirtyEight,” the Western Journal reported.
Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds also easily won her race against Democrat challenger Deidre DeJear.
Reynolds said Iowa “stayed open and thrived” amid the COVID-19 pandemic because the state “put people to work” instead of “staying at home” and took a jab at the federal government, saying Iowans “get things done.”
“Record low unemployment, tax cuts and so much more. Here in Iowa, we may get up early, but we’re not woke. We love our country, our military, and law enforcement. Because of who we are and what we stand for, Iowa has always been America at its best. Here in this field of dreams we call home, anything is possible,” Reynolds added. “And the best is yet to come.”
