| Reporting from the Gazette puts a further spotlight on how Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ “record on prescription drug policy has drawn scrutiny over her connections to the pharmaceutical industry.”
The Gazette highlighted how “while serving on a House subcommittee that oversees drug pricing,” Miller-Meeks rented an apartment from “two registered lobbyists whose firm represented the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA — the industry’s main lobbying group.” Miller-Meeks took thousands from PhRMA’s PAC last election cycle.
AND NOW: Miller-Meeks refuses to answer questions about her lobbyist living arrangement, running away with cupcakes in hand when asked why she failed to disclose the arrangement to Iowans.
DCCC Spokesperson Katie Smith:
“What is Mariannette Miller-Meeks hiding? Iowans deserve to know why Miller-Meeks refuses to disclose the specifics of her pharma lobbyist living arrangement and whether they influenced her to side with pharma over Iowans.”
Read the key points from The Gazette:
- Miller-Meeks’ record on prescription drug policy has drawn scrutiny over her connections to the pharmaceutical industry.
- While serving on a House subcommittee that oversees drug pricing, Miller-Meeks rented a basement apartment on Capitol Hill from Carlyle “Carl” Thorsen and James “Alec” French, two registered lobbyists whose firm represented the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA — the industry’s main lobbying group. Iowa Starting Line first reported on the apartment.
- Their firm, Thorsen French Advocacy, lobbied on behalf of PhRMA between 2011 and 2025, including work on drug pricing issues, according to lobbying disclosure data. PhRMA opposed the Inflation Reduction Act’s provisions aimed at lowering prescription drug costs.
- Federal Election Commission filings indicate Miller-Meeks’ campaign took in $16,500 from pharmaceutical and medical technology company PACs in the fourth quarter of 2025. Additional records show $3,500 in contributions from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) PAC during the 2023-2024 cycle.
- Miller-Meeks’ campaign is seeking to highlight her medical background and legislative efforts, while critics are expected to continue raising questions about her policy positions, industry ties and votes affecting insurance affordability in a closely watched race where healthcare costs and access are likely to remain central issues.
Read the original reporting in Iowa Starting Line. |
