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KALONA — Three Democrats seeking to challenge U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District used a Sunday Hall of Fame event in Kalona to draw sharp contrasts with the Republican incumbent on the federal shutdown, health care and safety-net programs — while also fielding questions on Israel and Gaza, education and Iowa water quality.

The Iowa Democratic Party event at Kalona Historical Village doubled as a candidate forum for Christina Bohannan of Iowa City, Taylor Wettach of Muscatine and Travis Terrell of Tiffin.

The forum came as Congress entered the fifth day of a federal government shutdown. The Senate remained at impasse over whether to extend enhanced Affordab

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