An Iowa Democrat who suspended his campaign for the state House nearly two months before Election Day won his race anyway. Eric Armstrong defeated Republican Keith Jones in Iowa's 20th House District, securing 55 percent of the vote to Jones' 45 percent, a margin of 865 votes.
Armstrong had announced on September 7 that he was stepping down from his campaign to focus on his health, stating that he must prioritize his recovery and that the district deserved a representative who could give 100 percent of their energy to the race. He did not publicly identify his illness.
Despite his withdrawal from active campaigning, Armstrong's name remained on the ballot. Voters ultimately elected him, contributing to broader Democratic gains across Iowa.
"I'm proud to announce that we won Iowa House District 20," Armstrong said in a statement. "You sent a clear message about the direction you want for Iowa, and I will make sure that message is carried to the Capitol in January."
Jones, a retired police lieutenant and member of the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, expressed skepticism about Armstrong's ability to serve. "There are questions about his past and health," Jones told the Daily Mail. "He avoided all public interaction due to illness, now says he's fit to represent the district."
Armstrong acknowledged his ongoing health struggles in an interview with The New York Times on Wednesday, stating, "But I still have health issues, that's what I'm struggling with."
The election results in Iowa saw significant gains for Democrats, including the gubernatorial race won by Rob Sand and Josh Turek flipping a Republican-held Senate seat. Democrats also secured three of Iowa's four congressional districts. Armstrong was running to succeed Turek in the state House. Republicans retained control of the Iowa legislature, but the election marked a notable shift in several districts.