State Senate
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Iowa Democrats eye opportunity in eastern Iowa special election
Following Sen. Chris Cournoyer’s elevation to lieutenant governor, there’s a vacancy in the state Senate. Local school board president Mike Zimmer is hoping to flip a seat back for Democrats. There is a special election looming in eastern Iowa. Senate District 35 was represented by Republican state Sen. Chris Cournoyer of LeClaire before Gov. Kim…
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IA Senate Democrats to press GOP on child care, water quality, cancer rate in legislative session
Democrats will still be in the minority in next year’s Iowa Legislative Session, but Minority Leader Janice Weiner (D-Iowa City) said that doesn’t make them powerless.
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Democrats will return to Des Moines with legislation to feed Iowa kids during the summer
While it needs Republican buy-in, Democrats in the Iowa Legislature plan to reintroduce Summer EBT bill that would have Iowa put $29 million to work feeding 240,000 kids. Child hunger continues to plague Iowa. According to Feeding America, 110,500 children—or 1 in 6 children in the state—do not have enough to eat. But Iowa has…
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Recount confirms Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott keeps seat
A recount confirmed Democratic state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott’s victory over Republican challenger Mark Hanson. The votes are tallied, and incumbent state Sen. Garriott of West Des Moines is safe. Hanson, of Waukee, challenged her 24-ballot lead to a recount following election night. But the recount boards found the original results hold up. Trone Garriott…
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Sen. Nate Boulton concedes to Mike Pike following recount
A recount confirmed Republican Mike Pike’s victory over Democratic incumbent state Sen. Nate Boulton. The votes were counted and recounted. And Mike Pike flipped Senate District 20 red. The Republican will represent an area that includes Des Moines, Altoona, Pleasant Hill and southwest Ankeny. At the end of election night, Pike was ahead by 44…
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Iowa competes with Florida for most book bans
Rightwing activists are going after books across the country. And in Iowa, the number of bans is near the top of the country. An analysis of book bans in the US over the last three years found 10,000 books were banned. And nearly 36% were in Iowa. From Adel DeSoto Minburn to Woodward-Granger Community School…
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Republicans maintain control in Iowa, see small gains on historic majorities
Despite some Democratic wins, Republicans carried the night. They maintain control of the Iowa Legislature and congressional seats. Going into Tuesday, Iowa Democrats had a lot to be excited about. A list of winnable seats in Des Moines. Two seats in Congress labeled “toss-ups.” And an Iowa Poll that suggested big wins for Democrats. But…
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Matt Blake unseats long-time Republican senator Brad Zaun in 2024 election
Matt Blake, a Democrat from Urbandale, will take his place in the Iowa Senate when the 2025 Legislative Session begins in January. With all precincts reporting in the district, Blake has won 52.35% to 47.48%. The new state senator unseated 19-year incumbent Sen. Brad Zaun, a Republican from Urbandale, by 1,776 votes (19,106 to 17,330)…
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How does my vote get counted—and certified—in Iowa?
Now that you’ve voted, how does your vote get counted? We drew a roadmap Iowa takes after each Election Day to certify its results. You voted. You did your job. With a little patience we’ll have a result. Because there is so much attention on getting you to a precinct to fill out and turn…
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Brad Zaun has long history of votes out of sync with his district
Brad Zaun has been in office for decades, but while his district has moved to the center and the left, Zan has become one of Iowa’s most far-right representatives
