Mariannette Miller-Meeks wants to the be the first woman elected to Congress from Iowa.

She took a step Tuesday toward making that goal a reality, defeating Cedar Rapids funeral home director Peter Teahen by more than 100 votes.

"I am thrilled, humbled and overwhelmed," Miller-Meeks said. "We knew it would be close. We had to work hard in Linn County and throughout the district."

Teahen held a double-digit lead over Miller-Meeks nearly two months ago, and the Ottumwa opthalmologist began slowly erasing the deficit. In the days leading up to the primary, the campaign saw the momentum moving in Miller-Meeks' favor.

"From our perspective we saw the momentum shifting (in recent weeks)," said Miller-Meeks, adding she felt she solidified her campaign with her speech at Friday's Lincoln Dinner in Des Moines. "I solidified to the establishment I was a credible candidate."

Miller-Meeks said she is pleased with how the campaign came together in the closing days of the primary. She noted the campaign didn't distribute negative mail and was not responsible for any of the attacks on Teahen that came from a source in the United Kingdom.

Now, she has her sights set on incumbent Congressman Dave Loebsack.

"I think Loebsack is vulnerable," she said. "(Tonight) is absolutely the first step. You have to believe you have the capacity to (win in the general election). I tell people I have my finger on the pulse of the 2nd District and that message resonates well."

Labels: 2008_primary