Des Moines, Iowa — Democrat Renee Hardman was elected to the Iowa state Senate on Tuesday in a year-end particular election, denying Republicans from reclaiming two-thirds management of the chamber and Legislature.
Hardman bested Republican Lucas Loftin by an awesome margin to win a seat representing elements of the Des Moines suburbs. The seat turned vacant after the Oct. 6 loss of life of state Sen. Claire Celsi, a Democrat.
Hardman, the CEO of nonprofit Lutheran Companies of Iowa and a member of the West Des Moines Metropolis Council, turns into the primary Black girl elected to the 50-member Senate.
Hardman for Iowa through AP
“I wish to acknowledge that whereas my identify was the one on the poll, this race was by no means nearly me,” Hardman instructed a room of supporters in West Des Moines after declaring victory.
With 99% of votes counted, Hardman led by about 43 proportion factors.
Her win is the newest in a string of particular election victories for Iowa Democrats, who flipped two Senate seats this yr to interrupt up a supermajority that had allowed Republicans to simply affirm GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds’ appointments to state companies and commissions.
Democrat Mike Zimmer first flipped a seat in January, successful a district that had strongly favored President Trump within the 2024 election. In August, Democrat Catelin Drey handily defeated her GOP opponent within the Republican stronghold of northwestern Iowa, giving Democrats 17 seats to Republicans’ 33. Celsi’s loss of life introduced that right down to 16.
Republicans would have regained two-thirds management within the state Senate with a Loftin victory Tuesday.
The GOP nonetheless has vital majorities in each chambers, together with an hermetic 66-33 supermajority within the Iowa Home of Representatives, however not the two-thirds of each chambers that will have given it a supermajority within the Legislature.
With out a supermajority, the celebration might want to get assist from not less than one state Senate Democrat to approve Reynolds’ nominees.
Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic Nationwide Committee, referred to as Hardman’s victory “a significant examine on Republican energy.”
“With the final particular election of the yr now determined, one factor is evident: 2025 was the yr of Democratic victories and overperformance, and Democrats are on observe for large midterm elections,” Martin stated.
In November, the celebration dominated the primary main Election Day since Trump returned to the White Home, notably successful governor’s races in Virginia and New Jersey. Democrats held onto a Kentucky state Senate seat this month in a particular election. And whereas Republican Matt Van Epps received a Tennessee particular election for a U.S. Home seat, the comparatively slim margin of victory gave Democrats hope for subsequent yr’s midterms. The celebration should internet three Home seats in 2026 to reclaim the bulk and impede Mr. Trump’s agenda.
Loftin, a tree trimmer turned knowledge supervisor, congratulated Hardman and instructed The Related Press he is praying for her as she embarks on this necessary chapter.
Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann applauded Loftin and his supporters for placing up a struggle in what he described as “a really powerful district.” Democrats outnumber Republicans by about 3,300 voters, or 37% to 30%.
“Though we fell quick this time, the Republican Get together of Iowa stays laser-focused on increasing our majorities within the Iowa Legislature and maintaining Iowa ruby-red,” Kaufmann stated.
The Democratic Legislative Marketing campaign Committee pledged Tuesday to assist defend the celebration’s positive aspects in Iowa and stop the return of a GOP supermajority subsequent yr.
