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Competitive races expected in Iowa’s new districts

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June 6th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s nonpartisan redistricting process has laid the groundwork for competitive races in all four congressional districts, where no candidate is a shoo-in. After a low-turnout primary, attention shifted Tuesday to congressional races expected to cost millions of dollars and legislative contests that could shift the balance of power in the Iowa Senate. Republicans say they have a realistic chance to knock off one or more incumbent Democratic congressmen. If they win two state Senate seats, the GOP will claim a majority needed to approve new restrictions on abortion, reduce property taxes and place a constitutional gay marriage ban on the ballot. Democrats, meanwhile, are taking aim at Republican U.S. Reps. Tom Latham and Steven King. Their races are expected to be the most hotly contested in Iowa.