
Iowa Democrat announces decision to withdraw effort to contest House race
CNN
Iowa Democrat Rita Hart withdrew her contest before Congress on Wednesday, ending her challenge of her state-certified, six-vote loss amid increasing pressure by Republicans to dismiss her case and growing skepticism by Democrats of overturning the House election.
"Despite our best efforts to have every vote counted, the reality is that the toxic campaign of political disinformation to attack this constitutional review of the closest congressional contest in 100 years has effectively silenced the voices of Iowans," said Hart in a statement. "It is a stain on our democracy that the truth has not prevailed and my hope for the future is a return to decency and civility." Hart's decision came hours after House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy rallied with Hart's opponent, GOP Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, in Iowa, and two days after Hart lawyer Marc Elias asked the House Administration Committee to "count every vote."
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