By Chris Dorsey
IowaPolitics.com | Click here to see the original article

DES MOINES -- Ottumwa opthalmologist Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks has overcome a double-digit deficit in her 2nd District GOP congressional primary bid. However, at Friday night's Lincoln Day Dinner, she still referred to herself as the underdog.

Miller-Meeks outraised her chief rival, Cedar Rapids businessman Peter Teahen, in the latest reporting period, which she called a necessary part of clawing back into the race.

"You work harder when you are the underdog," she said.

She received an enthusiastic response as she dialed up the crowd toward the end of her speech. She stressed the need for Republicans to be more forward-thinking in Congress and in Iowa, and referenced that need as she emphasized her desire to be the first woman elected to Congress from Iowa.

"I am not a career politician, and that is one reason I will win this seat in the primary," Miller-Meeks said. "I am an opthalmologist, and it is my job to help people see better. It does not take glasses to see Congress is out of touch with real Americans."

She referenced recent hearings in Congress on steroid use in baseball as an example of not focusing on the issues.

Teahen called upon Congress and the Republican elected to beat incumbent Congressman Dave Loebsack to lead Washington, D.C., in a new direction. He said Loebsack has represented House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's interests more than those of his constituents in the 2nd District.

"Congress has failed to lead us for too long," Teahen said. "The government hasn't failed us, it is the elected officials. This year we have seen record turnout in caucuses and primaries, that shows we are tired of how we have been treated. We deserve better; our families deserve better."

The funeral home director and Red Cross spokesman said he wants to be an elected official who leads, and not leave the tough decisions in the hands of judges. He also stressed the need for the country to feel safe and protect itself from terrorists.

"I want to turn this country around and make people feel safe again," Teahen said.

Many asked at Friday night's Lincoln Day Dinner said the 2nd district race is too close to call as it nears the June 3 primary. But, there is a general consensus it has come down to a two-person race. The third candidate is former prison chaplain Lee Harder of Mount Pleasant.

Harder said he was the first candidate in their race to discuss the need for the United States to become energy independent as he addressed the issue last June. He also referenced former President Ronald Reagan's peace through strength doctrine.

"We still need a strong military," Harder said.