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3w ago

Democrats Flip Iowa Senate Seat, Ending GOP Supermajority

An intensive DNC field push in a Trump-leaning district helped deliver a low-turnout victory.

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The Iowa State Capitol, commonly called the Iowa Statehouse, as seen in Des Moines, Iowa on Friday, October 18, 2024. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
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Left, Senator Joni Ernst speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol Building on May 8, 2024 in Washington, DC. Right, Zach Wahls attends Family Equality's Night at the Pier at Pier 60 on May 16, 2022 in New York City.

Overview

  • Unofficial results show Democrat Catelin Drey defeating Republican Christopher Prosch 55% to 44%, according to the Woodbury County Auditor’s Office.
  • The Iowa Senate now stands at 33 Republicans and 17 Democrats, removing the two‑thirds threshold Republicans held for confirming gubernatorial nominees.
  • Fewer than 25% of registered voters cast ballots in the special election for the Sioux City–area district.
  • The district voted for President Donald Trump by roughly 11 points in 2024, highlighting a significant swing in a traditionally red area.
  • Democrats cite a broader 2025 pattern of special‑election overperformance, and Republicans downplay the result while noting the DNC’s deployment of 30,000 volunteers.