With the June 3 primary just days away, Republicans are eying a GOP contest in the Democratic-leaning 2nd Congressional District as they consider adding freshman U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Mt. Vernon, to their list of targeted House seats.

U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Waterloo, serving his first term in the 1st District, holds a solid Democratic district and will probably get a pass from the Republican attack machine this election cycle. U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-Des Moines, who national Dems expect to survive a primary challenge from 2006 gubernatorial candidate Ed Fallon also will most likely cruise to victory in the general election.

But Republicans believe that at least two of the candidates running in the 2nd District GOP primary have potential: Ophthalmologist and former state Medical Society President Mariannette Miller-Meeks and businessman Peter Teahen. Chaplain Lee Harder is also running in the GOP primary, but is not expected to win.

Depending on available funds and Loebsack's political strength (or lack thereof) come the fall, national Republicans could choose to attack the Democratic incumbent while simultaneously adding some muscle behind the GOP nominee.

The National Republican Congressional Committee, consistent with its policy under its current Chairman, U.S. Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, is not taking sides in Tuesday's primary, although NRCC officials worked early in the election cycle to recruit Miller-Meeks into the race.

According to one Republican strategist monitoring the 2nd District GOP primary, Teahen has put together the superior campaign organization between the two, but Miller-Meeks is a better fit for the district. In other words: Some Republicans believe Miller-Meeks has a better chance of beating Loebsack than does Teahen.

Labels: 2008_primary