IA-3: Former Gubernatorial candidate Ed Fallon to challenge Boswell in Primary

[Adlai Stevenson]

While Republicans have yet to be able to locate any challenger to Congressman Leonard Boswell (D), the 74-year-old incumbent finds himself facing a competitive primary challenge from the left. Former State Representative Ed Fallon (D), a progressive activist and vocal Iraq War critic, announced he will oppose Boswell in the primary. Fallon said Democrats need to show "more backbone" in Washington. Fallon was an underdog candidate for Governor in 2006 -- finishing third statewide with a surprisingly strong 26% in the four-way primary -- and carried CD-3. Boswell, who voted for the 2002 Iraq War resolution, endorsed Hillary Clinton for President shortly before the Iowa Caucuses. The incumbent starts with over $600,000 in his campaign account.

http://www.politics1.com/

[Adlai Stevenson]

Methinks that this seat is more likely to fall (whether Boswell reaches the General Election or not) than almost all of the Democrat gains of 2006.

While that may be a little of an overstatement, I completely concur with your view of Boswell's vulnerability. His 2006 performance was dismal for a three-term incumbent running in the best year for Iowa Democrats in half a century.

If the GOP can recruit a strong candidate (paging Jeff Lamberti...), Boswell, who's grown increasingly ornery and distant from his district in recent years, could face a stiff reelection challenge.

Do you think that a more active Democrat would have an easier time holding IA-03 than Boswell? 

Yes, I'd argue a Democrat who more closely paid attends the needs of  this district would likely be less vulnerable to defeat. However, since this district is essentially a 50/50 swing district, no Democrat can take it for granted.

Bush won it by exactly 50%-50% in 2004 and I think Lamberti may have be the only Democratic incumbent to lose ground in 2006 compared to 2004.  I would think this could be a top GOP target - even if they don't have a very good year in Iowa. 

[Adlai Stevenson]

Bush won it by exactly 50%-50% in 2004 and I think Lamberti may have be the only Democratic incumbent to lose ground in 2006 compared to 2004.

Lamberti did not lose ground.  Boswell is the incumbent.

Yeah you're right sorry thats what I meant.