Eric Armstrong, a retired railroad executive who suspended his campaign for an Iowa state House seat in September over health concerns, won that race anyway on Tuesday, defeating Republican Keith Jones by roughly 9 percentage points, according to The Hill.
The margin in the race for the seat previously held by Josh Turek was about 865 votes, based on results reported by The Associated Press. Armstrong, a Democrat, stopped actively campaigning more than a month before Election Day, but his name remained on the ballot and voters elected him anyway.
Armstrong stepped aside in September
In a Facebook post on Sept. 7, Armstrong announced he was stepping away from the campaign, effective immediately, to deal with what he described as personal health issues.
“Because I must prioritize my health and recovery at this time, I am stepping down from my campaign, effective immediately,” Armstrong wrote. “This was a deeply difficult choice. However, I know it is the right one.”
“Our District deserves a representative who can give 100 percent of their energy to this race,” he continued. “Right now, I must focus on healing so that I can continue to serve our community in other ways in the future.”
Armstrong told The New York Times in a phone call Wednesday morning that he would do his best to represent the district, but acknowledged his situation remains difficult.
“But I still have health issues, that’s what I’m struggling with,” Armstrong said, according to a report on the race.
What this means for the Iowa Statehouse
The seat, in Council Bluffs-based House District 20, was not a pickup for Democrats, since Turek, the incumbent, was already a Democrat and left the seat open to run for the state Senate. But the outcome fits a broader pattern from Tuesday night that saw Democrats make gains across the state.
According to NewsNation's reporting, Iowa Democrats flipped 10 seats in the Iowa House, cutting into what had been a large Republican majority in the chamber. Republicans entered the night holding a firm grip on both the House and Senate in Des Moines, as well as the governor's office.
Democrats also scored wins at the top of the ticket in Iowa. Turek won his state Senate race against his GOP opponent, and Democrat Rob Sand won the race for governor, ending eight years of Republican control of the office.
A wave that reached far beyond Iowa
The results in Iowa mirrored a strong night for Democrats nationwide. The party gained control of both chambers of Congress, flipped state legislatures across the country, and turned the governor's office and a Senate seat in Texas blue for the first time in decades, according to The Hill. Democrats also notched wins in other states that typically vote Republican, including Kansas, South Carolina and Florida.
Some Democrats have taken to calling the night a blue tsunami, and the results in individual races like Armstrong's give that framing some grounding. A candidate who stopped campaigning more than a month out still won by nearly 10 points, a sign of how the political environment shifted in the final stretch.
Questions ahead for the district
Armstrong's win raises practical questions for residents of House District 20. He has been open about facing ongoing health struggles, and it remains unclear when he will be able to serve at full capacity. In his interview with the Times, he committed to doing his best for the district while managing his recovery.
State law allows party officials to fill legislative vacancies if a seat opens up, so if Armstrong is unable to continue, local Democrats would choose a replacement. For now, he is set to be sworn in when the new session begins in January.
For Iowa Republicans, the night amounted to a significant setback after years of gains at the state level. The party will now operate with smaller majorities and a Democrat in the governor's office for the first time since 2011.
FAQ
Who won the Iowa House District 20 race?
Democrat Eric Armstrong won the seat, defeating Republican Keith Jones by about 9 percentage points and roughly 865 votes, according to the Associated Press.
Why did Eric Armstrong suspend his campaign?
Armstrong announced on Sept. 7 that he was stepping away from the race to address personal health issues and focus on his recovery.
Did Democrats flip the Iowa House District 20 seat?
No. The seat was already held by a Democrat, Josh Turek, who ran for and won a state Senate seat instead.
How many Iowa House seats did Democrats flip?
Iowa Democrats flipped 10 seats in the Iowa House, according to NewsNation.