Christina Bohannan was born in 1971 and raised in Florida, in a rural small town. She grew up as the youngest of three children in a family that struggled — living in a trailer, with parents who never finished high school, a mother working in daycare and a father working construction. When her father became ill and lost his health insurance, the family faced a painful choice between buying medicine and putting food on the table.
She went on to earn a B.S. in environmental engineering and then a J.D. — both from the University of Florida. After working as an engineer for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, she moved to Iowa in 2000 and joined the faculty at the University of Iowa College of Law, where she taught constitutional law, torts, intellectual property, and more.
In 2020, she ran for and was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives (District 85), defeating a long-time incumbent in the primary and running unopposed in the general. She served in the Iowa Legislature from January 2021 to January 2023.
In 2022 she ran for the U.S. House to represent IA-01 but lost in the general election. She ran again in 2024 — after a hard-fought campaign and narrow result, she lost by just 799 votes. On June 17, 2025, she announced she is running once more in 2026 to win back the seat.
Bohannan lives in Iowa City, is a mom, and understands the real struggles of working families: rising costs, precarious health care access, and economic uncertainty.
Her story — from a struggling working-class childhood, to engineering school and law, to teaching law, to public service — gives her a grounded, personal perspective on issues many Iowa families face.
Key Issue Stances & Priorities
- Affordable Healthcare & Prescription-Drug Reform — Drawing on her family’s experience when her father fell ill and lost insurance, Bohannan plans to fight “big pharma,” lower drug prices, and protect access to care for families who are one medical emergency away from financial ruin.
- Defending Middle-Class & Working Families’ Economic Security — She believes in a fair shot for working Iowans: that hard work deserves economic opportunity — not predatory corporate pricing or unjust economic policies. Her campaign emphasizes support for small businesses, families, and fair wages.
- Reproductive Rights & Women’s Health — In past campaigns, Bohannan underscored the importance of protecting reproductive freedom and access to comprehensive women’s health care.
- Government Accountability, Ethics & Good Governance — She supports sweeping reforms: term and age limits for Congress, a ban on members, staff, or their families becoming paid lobbyists, and banning PAC money from financing luxury travel for lawmakers. She argues Congress has lost public trust and needs structural reform to restore it.
- Lowering Cost of Living & Protecting Social Safety Net (Medicaid / Social Security) — Bohannan opposes cuts to Medicaid and other social programs, and has pledged to stand against legislation that would cut benefits for seniors and low-income families.
Christina Bohannan is a candidate for “common-sense solutions,” not Washington partisanship — someone who’ll fight to ensure ordinary Iowans aren’t overlooked.
Accomplishments & Strengths
- Successful State-Legislative Track Record — As a first-time candidate in 2020, Bohannan defeated a 20-year incumbent in the Democratic primary and served in the Iowa House, demonstrating appeal and capability as a legislator.
- Academic & Legal Expertise — With decades as a law professor, her background in environmental engineering, law, and constitutional law gives her a deep understanding of policy, regulation, and the legal system — an asset for effective oversight and thoughtful legislation.
- Proven Voter Appeal in Competitive District — In 2024 she came within 799 votes of winning Iowa’s 1st District — a testament to her ability to connect with voters across party lines and mobilize grassroots support.
- Strong Ethos of Service & Integrity — Bohannan emphasizes working for people, not big money; she rejects corporate PAC influence and promises ethics reforms to rebuild trust in Congress.
- Resilience and Commitment — Rather than stepping away after narrow losses, she’s staying in the fight — launching a new campaign for 2026, showing determination and long-term commitment to IA-01 voters.
It's time someone put Iowa first.
- Christina Bohannan