Des Moines, Iowa — Governor Kim Reynolds has issued a proclamation scheduling a special election to fill the vacancy in the Iowa Senate created by the resignation of Senator Zach Whiting from his District 1 seat.Iowa Code 69.14 outlines the authority given to the governor to set a special election. Whiting was serving his first term in the Iowa Senate. Senate District 1, located in Clay, Dickinson, Lyon, Osceola, and Palo Alto counties, including the cities of Spirit Lake, Spencer, Emmetsburg, Sibley, and Rock Rapids.
The governor’s proclamation sets Tuesday, December 14th as the date for a special election to fill the office vacated by Whiting’s resignation. Voters in Lyon, Osceola, Dickinson, Clay and Palo Alto counties will go to the polls that day to select Whiting’s replacement.
As of Thursday morning, two Republican candidates, both from Spirit Lake, have announced their intention to seek the office in December’s special election.
The governor’s proclamation setting the date of the special election can be seen below:
SPECIAL ELECTION PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the Office of State Senator for the First (1st) State Senatorial District of the Iowa General Assembly, as defined by section 41.2(1) of the 2021 Iowa Code, has become vacant by reason of the resignation of Iowa State Senator Zach Whiting, effective October 30, 2021.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kim Reynolds, Governor of the State of Iowa, by virtue of the authority vested in me by law, do hereby proclaim and direct that a special election to fill said vacancy shall be held within said District on:
TUESDAY, THE FOURTEENTH (14TH) DAY OF DECEMBER, 2021, A.D.
WHEREFORE, all electors within the First (1st) State Senatorial District will take due notice and the County Commissioner of Elections of Clay, Dickinson, Lyon, Osceola, and Palo Alto counties shall give official notice as provided in section 39.6 of the Iowa Code.
