Iowa Senate Election: A Critical Moment for Democrats

The Democrats face a pivotal challenge in the Iowa Senate on Tuesday as Republicans are looking to gain a supermajority. This would enable them to govern with minimal opposition, a significant shift in the balance of power in the state.

In the race for Iowa Senate District 16, Democratic candidate Lenny Hardman will compete against Republican Lucas Loftin, vying to fill the seat left vacant after the passing of Sen. Claire Celsi in October due to unspecified health issues. Celsi, who was a Democrat, had held this position since 2019.

With Republican Governor Kim Reynolds already controlling two-thirds of the legislative chamber, this supermajority would streamline her ability to make appointments to state agencies without needing support from any Democratic senators. Previously, her nominations required at least one Democratic vote.

This upcoming vote is crucial for the Democrats; it offers them a rare opportunity to hold onto some influence in Iowa. Currently, they are at risk of further diminishing their presence in the Senate and are significantly outnumbered in the House of Representatives, where Republicans dominate with 66 out of 100 seats. The Democratic Party’s approval rating sits at a mere 33%, compounding their difficulties.

There is still one vacancy in the Senate following Celsi’s passing. On a broader scale, Republicans also control all four of Iowa’s House districts and both U.S. Senate seats. Looking ahead, there’s an impending Senate race to replace Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who plans to retire in 2026—a contest that promises to be competitive for Democrats.

In a previous special election held in August, Democrats narrowly avoided a supermajority for Republicans. This election marks the sixth special election in Iowa for the year.

Voting is set to commence at 7 a.m. and will continue until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30.