Des Moines, Iowa (RI) — A Democrat has won Tuesday’s special election for a seat the Iowa Senate.
Unofficial results show West Des Moines City Councilman Renee Hardman won with 73% of the vote. She will be the first black woman to serve in the Iowa Senate. The seat had been vacant since State Senator Claire Celsi’s death in October.
Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner notes this is the third special election this year for a state senate seat and Democrats have won all three. She says that shows Iowa voters want change.
Iowa GOP chairman Jeff Kaufmann says Tuesday’s election was in a very tough district for Republicans and the party is focused on expanding the Republican majorities in the state legislature next year.
There will be 17 Democrats and 33 Republicans serving in the Iowa Senate in January, one vote short of a GOP supermajority. It means Republicans will need at least one Democrat to vote to confirm any people Governor Reynolds nominates for state government positions.
KIWA Staff Photo
