Lenny Hardman Elected to Iowa Senate in Special Election
In a special election held on Tuesday, Democrat Lenny Hardman secured a seat in the Iowa Senate, blocking Republicans from achieving two-thirds control of the chamber.
Hardman won decisively against Republican Lucas Loftin, taking the position that represents portions of the Des Moines suburbs. The vacancy arose after the passing of Democratic state Senator Claire Celsi on October 6th.
Hardman, who serves as CEO of the nonprofit Iowa Lutheran Services and is a member of the West Des Moines City Council, is notable for being the first Black woman elected to the 50-member Senate.
“Even though my name was on the ballot, I want to recognize that this election was never just about me,” Hardman expressed to her supporters in West Des Moines upon her victory announcement.
With nearly all votes counted, Hardman held a staggering lead of about 43 points.
This win adds to a string of special election successes for Iowa Democrats, who have flipped two Senate seats this year. These victories disrupt the supermajority that allows the Republican Party to pass appointments to state agencies and commissions more easily.
In January, Democrat Mike Zimmer flipped his seat in a district that had previously leaned heavily Republican, supporting Donald Trump in the 2024 election. Then, in August, Democrat Katelyn Dore won a seat in a Republican stronghold in northwestern Iowa, bringing the Democratic seats to 17 against 33 for Republicans. After Celsi’s death, that number dropped to 16.
If Loftin had won, Republicans would have regained their two-thirds majority. Without it, they need at least one Democratic vote to support Governor Reynolds’ candidacy. Nevertheless, they still hold significant majorities in both legislative chambers.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin highlighted Hardman’s victory as “a major check on the strength of the Republican Party.”
According to Martin, this outcome showcases that 2025 appears to be a promising year for Democrats ahead of the midterm elections.
In November, the party achieved significant victories, including gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, along with securing a Senate seat in Kentucky. While Republican Matt Van Epps captured a special election in Tennessee for a U.S. House seat, the relatively narrow margin left room for optimism among Democrats as they approach next year’s elections.
The party needs to gain three House seats by 2026 to regain control and hinder President Trump’s policies.
Loftin, who transitioned from tree cutter to data manager, congratulated Hardman and expressed his prayers for her as she embarks on this new journey.
Iowa Republican Party Chairman Jeff Kaufman commended Loftin and his supporters for their hard work in a challenging district.
In Iowa, the number of Democratic voters slightly surpasses Republicans, with about a 3,300-vote margin (37% to 30%).
“Although we fell short this time, the Iowa Republican Party remains committed to expanding its majority in the Iowa Legislature and keeping Iowa ruby red,” Kaufman stated.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee has promised to support the preservation of the party’s gains in Iowa, aiming to prevent the reestablishment of a Republican supermajority next year.
