Iowa Democrats Claim Victory, Break Republican Supermajority

Democrat Catelin Drey is projected to win a special Iowa Senate election, flipping a GOP seat and ending the Republican supermajority in the chamber. This victory would enable Democrats to block the governor's nominations that require a two-thirds vote, including appointments to the Cabinet, the Board of Medicine, and the Board of Regents.

Drey will be the first Democrat to hold the seat in 14 years, representing parts of Sioux City in the western part of the state. The district was previously held by Republican Rocky De Witt, who died in June.

This election marks a significant shift in Iowa politics, as Democrats have performed better than expected in all four special legislative elections this year.

In 2024, Donald Trump won the state by 13 percentage points, but this election suggests that Democratic momentum is growing. Drey's victory will give Democrats the ability to hold the governor accountable for their nominations.