Ophthalmologist Retains U.S. House Seat, Opponent Withdraws Challenge

The November election opponent of U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD, R-Iowa, withdrew her challenge of the 2020 election results this week. The U.S. House Administration Committee will now move to dismiss the complaint, clearing the way for Dr. Miller-Meeks, an Academy member, to retain her seat. The Iowa ophthalmologist, who was provisionally seated in January, won the November election over Democrat Rita Hart by six votes.

March 18, 2021

Academy member and ophthalmologist Mariannette Miller-Meeks, MD, R-Iowa, faces continued election challenges, despite being provisionally seated as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

She won election by six votes in November, but her opponent, Democrat Rita Hart, claims 22 legal ballots remain uncounted. The House Administration Committee recently voted along party lines to deny Dr. Miller-Meeks’ motion to dismiss that claim.

The committee will now investigate the merits of Hart’s petition and make recommendations in a report to the full House, a Democratic-controlled body.

The full House could decide to:

• Dismiss the challenge
• Rule in favor of the challenger and appoint Hart to hold the seat
• Declare no one is entitled to the seat and call for a new election

Dr. Miller-Meeks is one of three physician members currently serving on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, which oversees the veterans’ health system.