Story perspectives

Super PAC Ad Helps Shift IA-03 to Garriott Favor

By Drooid · Oct 27, 2026, 6:03 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Councilwoman Shellie Flockhart appeared in a super-PAC ad accusing Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott of endangering children.
Flockhart pleaded guilty in 2017 to child endangerment and drunk driving with her children.
The Congressional Leadership Fund spent about $1 million on the ad featuring women denouncing Garriott.
Garriott’s campaign called the ad a desperate lie.
The Cook Political Report changed its IA-03 rating from toss-up to favor the Democrat.

History

Historical Context

In the 1994 Republican Revolution, Newt Gingrich’s Contract with America helped Republicans win a 54-seat House swing, the first GOP majority since 1952. That playbook of heavy negative TV ads is echoed today as the Congressional Leadership Fund spends a million on an Iowa ad targeting Councilwoman Shellie Flockhart’s conviction.

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Story summary

Councilwoman Shellie Flockhart appeared in a super-PAC ad accusing Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott of endangering children.
Flockhart pleaded guilty in 2017 to child endangerment and drunk driving with her children.
The Congressional Leadership Fund spent about $1 million on the ad featuring women denouncing Garriott.
Garriott’s campaign called the ad a desperate lie.
The Cook Political Report changed its IA-03 rating from toss-up to favor the Democrat.

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