The two Iowa women who ran for Congress this year revealed at an IowaPolitics.com forum on women and politics that they both resigned from high-paying jobs to seek public office, and they're both open to running again.

Mariannette Miller-Meeks, an Ottumwa Republican and a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve who was candidate in Iowa's 2nd congressional district, acknowledged for the first time that she had resigned from her practice as an ophthalmologist to run for Congress.

"The fact that my job ends as of Dec 31st - I had to resign from my practice - I kept that a secret," Miller-Meeks said. "I have some latitude now in what I do in the future and I would definitely not rule out running again. I was working full time and campaigning."

Becky Greenwald, a Democrat who ran in Iowa's 4th Congressional District, also resigned from her position with Pioneer Hi-Bred to concentrate on her campaign. She said she would consider making another run as well.

"I went into this knowing it often takes at least two times to be elected to office," Greenwald said. "I need to concentrate on income production for myself because I did leave my employment back in May. I'm looking forward to the future, and I don't know exactly what that holds for me, but I'm keeping all the doors open."

Miller-Meeks and Greenwald were two of five panelists at a Nov. 14 IowaPolitics.com forum on women and politics. The other panelists were Dianne Bystrom, director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, former Iowa Senate President and U.S. Ambassador Mary Kramer, and former Lt. Gov. Jo Ann Zimmerman.

All five panelists agreed that Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Sarah Palin were subject to sexism on the campaign trail.

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