Dave Loebsack
Democratic incumbent

Home City: Mount Vernon
Age: 55
Family: Terry (wife); Jennifer, Sarah, Marcos, Madeleine (children)
Education: Ph.D. in political science, University of California at Davis, 1985; MA in political science, Iowa State University, 1976; BS in political science, Iowa State University, 1974.
Political Experience: Representative, United States House of Representatives, 2006-present; chair, Linn Phoenix Club, 2002-2005; local leader, Bill Bradley Presidential Campaign, 2000; Linn County coordinator, Howard Dean for President, 2004

Economy: He supported both versions of the September bailout bill, calling them the "two toughest votes in my 21 months in office." He favors cutting taxes for families making under $100,000 and raising them on households making more than $180,000. He also favors raising the capital gains tax.

Energy: Loebsack voted for a bill this summer that would have opened up oil exploration in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He also supported a package that sought to lift the ban on offshore drilling and extend renewable energy tax credits. The Democrat also voted for a "use it or lose it" bill that would have forced companies to develop existing leased property before they could apply for any new leases.

Education: Loebsack voted for a bill that will cut interest rates for federal student loans in half. In addition, he supported the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, which increased the maximum Pell Grant money awarded. He also advocates for greater lending transparency.

Health care: He supported extending State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization earlier this year, which ultimately failed. He supports a universal health care plan that bars insurers from excluding individuals because of pre-existing conditions.

War on terrorism/veterans' issues: Loebsack supports withdrawing troops from Iraq. He received an A+ from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America on veterans' issues.

Mariannette Miller-Meeks
Republican challenger

Home City: Ottumwa
Age: 53
Family: Curt (husband); Jonathan and Taylor (children)
Education: MS in education, University of Southern California; BS in nursing, Texas Christian University; attended San Antonio Junior College.
Professional Experience: private practice doctor; councilor for Iowa to the American Academy of Ophthalmology; associate examiner, American Board of Ophthalmology; faculty, University of Michigan; nurse, Walter Reed Army Hospital

Economy: Miller-Meeks, who is attempting to become the first Iowa congresswoman ever elected, said she would've voted against the September bailout bill and said Congress "showed a lack of leadership." She also supports a flat tax on income and simplifying the overall tax code. She supports reducing government regulation in the free-market.

Energy: She supports drilling in ANWR and offshore, but "in the most environmentally safe" way. The key component to her plan is alternative energy, however, as well as nuclear power.

Education: Miller-Meeks supports a voucher system designed to give parents more choice. She's also in favor of increasing funding for Pell Grants and cutting the interest rates of Stafford Loans. She also favors making the process more transparent and removing conflicts of interest.

Health care: The physician supports minimal government intervention, favoring instead a largely free-market solution. "Consumer guided and purchased health insurance through a national risk pool with multiple insurance players would allow affordability and portability," she states on her website.

War on terrorism/ veterans' issues: A supporter of the "surge," she favors drawing down troops in Iraq only when commanders on the ground support it. The veteran also favors a new, revitalized GI Bill.

Brian White
Independent Challenger

Home City: North Liberty
Family: Alicia (wife); Aidan, Alex, Caitlin (children)
Education: JD from UI; bachelor's degree, UI
Professional Experience: adjunct assistant professor at the UI College of Public Health; legal counsel, UI Hospitals and Clinics

Economy: On economic matters — and many other issues — the self-described "social liberal, fiscal conservative" regularly returns to balancing the budget and championing sound fiscal policies. He favors a flat tax on income, balancing the national debt, and ending earmarks.

Energy: White supports creating a "green" economy, which would boast wind, biofuel, and soy power, among others. "Iowa is well positioned to be the leader in the green economy, which will create quality jobs for Iowans," he said. Although he hasn't ruled out drilling in ANWR or offshore, White argues merely focusing on drilling "would be a reactionary response to our energy crisis, not a proactive long-term solution to the crisis."

Education: He supports working to make college more affordable, calling it "an investment that will pay dividends to all Americans over time." In pre-college schooling, he favors standardized testing as just one of many measures of a student's aptitude.

Health care: The crux of the health attorney's healthcare plan is cutting costs while not sacrificing quality. He supports preventive care and electronic and compatible health records. White also favors a "patient-centered medical home."

War on terrorism/veterans' issues: White favors a bipartisan solution to Iraq, as he sees merit in both parties' arguments. He supports multilateral solutions to international problems.

Wendy Barth
Green Party Challenger

Home City: Cedar Rapids
Age: 48
Family: Divorced; Zachari and Lorelei (children)
Education: MS in Mathematics, UI, 1986; BA, Coe College, 1982
Political Experience: co-chair, Iowa Green Party from 2004-present; co-chair, Linn County Green Party from 2002-present; candidate, Governor of Iowa, 2006; delegate, Green Party-PAX Committee, 2005.

Economy: Barth said she wouldn't have supported the September bailout. She also supports raising taxes on the wealthy and corporations. In the spirit of sustainability, Barth favors creating more localized economies with increased public transportation and better city planning.

Energy: Barth supports developing alternative energy sources and increasing gas mileage standards. She also favors raising the gasoline tax, instituting a windfall profit tax on oil companies, and allocating the money to public transportation and assistance to those most affected by high gas prices.

Education: The peace activist is a strong proponent of public schools and doesn't support No Child Left Behind. She favors reducing class sizes and providing incentive programs that reward teachers for exemplary performance.

Health care: Barth announced at a recent debate she's "not afraid of the word 'socialism.' " She favors a single-payer, Medicare-style, universal healthcare plan. "The for-profit healthcare system in the United States is a failure," Barth said on her webside.

War on terrorism/ veterans' issues: Although she is staunchly against the war in Iraq, Barth asserts she is not anti-soldier. She is in favor of fully funding veterans' services. "For both medical and mental-health services, the VA is severely under-funded, and this is a disgrace to a civilized society," Barth said in 2006 during her gubernatorial run.