Loebsack Wins in the 2nd District

Dave Loebsack has beaten 30 year incumbant Jim Leach in Iowa's 2nd District! The Register is reporting that Leach has conceded the race. Congratulations to Dave. I have met him a couple of times and the 2nd District is getting a great Congressman. He is smart and incredibly nice.

From the Register...

U.S. Rep. Jim Leach conceded defeat this morning after Democratic challenger Dave Loebsack shocked the 30-year congressman.

Leach, an Iowa City Republican known for his moderate views, was caught up in a wave of Democratic victories as Democrats took control of the U.S. House and as unhappiness with the Iraq war and President Bush churned among voters.

Republicans had held four of Iowa’s five House seats, but were in danger of only holding two after Tuesday.

With 99 percent of the precincts in the 2nd District reporting, Loebsack was leading by about 500 votes.

National Democrats and Republicans had put no money or effort into the race, in sharp contrast to battles in two congressional districts that border the 2nd, and few had seen trouble ahead for Leach until the last two or three weeks.

**Updatee 1:06**
100% of Johnson County has reported and Loebsack won 60%-40% with over a 6,000 vote margin. Loebsack had an overall victory margin of less than 6,000 votes.