Muscatine Democrat and attorney Taylor Wettach withdrew from Iowa’s 1st Congressional District race to launch his bid for Iowa State Auditor Monday, running to “protect taxpayers, not politicians.”
Wettach, who specializes in trade and national security, was running against Christina Bohannan and Travis Terrell for the Democratic nomination in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, ending his bid for a seat in the U.S. House.
The auditor’s seat is open in 2026 following State Auditor Rob Sand launching his gubernatorial bid. Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer, endorsed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, and Iowa County Supervisor Abigail Maas are also vying for the state auditor seat.
In a news release, Wettach said he was entering the race to stop waste, fraud, and abuse in government.
“I’m running because public office should be about service and responsibility — not power and self-protection,” Wettach said in the release. “The State Auditor is supposed to serve as an independent watchdog for the people, regardless of who is in power — not a lapdog for corrupt politicians.”
Wettach’s departure from the congressional race leaves two Democratic contenders, Bohannan and Terrell.
The race marks Bohannan’s third attempt to beat out Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who narrowly won the 2024 election by less than 800 votes.
Bohannan led her opponents in fundraising, with a recorded $1.06 million raised in the third quarter of 2025, according to a report from the Federal Election Commission. Wettach raised $429,099, and Terrell garnered $12,940.
Wettach received endorsements from former Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party Rita Hart.
Miller said Wettach’s background in law prepares him for the role in the release.
“Taylor Wettach understands that accountability isn’t about press releases or politics — it’s about facts, records, and the law,” Miller said in the release. “His strong experience as a lawyer gives him the grounding a State Auditor needs to protect taxpayers and ensure public dollars are spent honestly, responsibly, and in the public interest.”
Hart said she is impressed with Wettach’s work ethic and integrity, saying accountability and transparency are under attack.
“I am excited Taylor will be part of the strongest Democratic ticket in a generation — a new generation of leaders that will work for Iowans, not insiders,” Hart said in the release.
Wettach said the race shouldn’t be partisan, but rather doing what’s right for Iowans.
“Accountability isn’t a Democratic value or a Republican value — it’s an Iowa value,” he said in the release. “This race isn’t about left versus right — it’s about right versus wrong, and whether the government works for Iowans or protects the powerful.”
