Republicans try to flip an Iowa Senate seat and reclaim a supermajority
in year-end special election
[December 30, 2025]
By HANNAH FINGERHUT and HANNAH SCHOENBAUM
DES MOINES,
Iowa (AP) — Some Iowans are ringing in 2026 with a special election on
the final Tuesday of the year, casting ballots for a state senator in a
race that offers Republicans an opportunity to reclaim two-thirds
control of the chamber.
Democrat Renee Hardman faces Republican Lucas Loftin in the special
election for the state Senate seat representing parts of Des Moines’
suburbs. The seat is vacant after the Oct. 6 death of state Sen. Claire
Celsi, a Democrat.
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This combination of undated images provided by Hardman for Iowa and
Lucas Loftin on Friday, Dec. 26, 2205, shows Democrat Renee Hardman and
Republican Lucas Loftin, who are running against each other in the
special election for the state Senate seat representing parts of Des
Moines’ suburbs. (Hardman for Iowa, Lucas Loftin via AP) |
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Flipping the seat would give Republicans supermajority status
once again, just months after a Democrat flipped a Republican
seat in an August special election, giving Democrats 17 seats to
Republicans' 33. Celsi's death left the Democratic caucus at 16.
Senate Republicans left Des Moines last spring with a
supermajority, which allows the party to easily confirm
Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds’ appointments to state agencies and
commissions. A Hardman win in Tuesday's election would limit
Republicans’ power in the Senate as lawmakers prepare to return
to Des Moines for the 2026 legislative session. Without a
supermajority, Republicans would have to rely on support from at
least one Democrat to approve Reynolds' nominees.
Democrats outnumber Republicans in the district by about 3,300
voters, 37% to 30%, but a holiday week special election may
prove more volatile.
About a third of registered voters in the district are
affiliated with another party or register without a political
party.
Celsi won her 2024 reelection bid against a Libertarian
competitor with 69% of the district electorate. But she earned a
smaller majority of voters in 2022 – 58% — against a Republican,
who earned 42% of the vote. That was similar to the share
Republican President Donald Trump received in the district last
year.
Hardman, who would be the first Black woman elected to the Iowa
state Senate, is the CEO of nonprofit Lutheran Services of Iowa
and a member of the West Des Moines City Council. Loftin, who
started as a tree trimmer for Wright Service Corp. in 2007, has
since transitioned to software and data project management for
the environmental services company.
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Schoenbaum reported from Salt Lake City, Utah.
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