IA-SD16:: Iowa Holds Special Election for State Senate District 16 Amid Republican Supermajority Bid

Voters in the West Des Moines area are preparing to head to the polls to elect a new state senator in a special election that holds significant implications for the balance of power in Iowa’s government. The contest pits Democrat Renee Hardman against Republican Lucas Loftin, both vying to succeed three-term Democratic Senator Claire Celsi, who passed away on October 6.

Renee Hardman, a prominent figure in local politics, is currently a member of the West Des Moines City Council and serves as the mayor pro tempore. In contrast, Lucas Loftin represents a different background, working for an environmental and outdoor services company.

As it stands, Republicans hold a significant majority in the Iowa Senate with a 33-16 advantage. A win for Loftin would inch the GOP closer to a supermajority, requiring just one more seat to achieve the 34 votes necessary to override gubernatorial vetoes, call special sessions, authorize certain payments, and confirm gubernatorial appointments. This comes after Iowa Democrats recently captured a seat in a special election held in August, breaking the Republican stronghold on the chamber. Republicans already maintain a supermajority in the Iowa House.

Senate District 16, which encompasses West Des Moines, Windsor Heights, and Clive in Polk County, along with a precinct in eastern Dallas County, has shown patterns of Democratic support in recent elections. Claire Celsi was notably reelected to her third term with 69% of the vote in 2024, while in the concurrent presidential race, Democrat Kamala Harris garnered approximately 58% of the votes in the district, leaving Donald Trump with around 41%.




https://news.ssbcrack.com/iowa-holds-special-election-for-state-senate-district-16-amid-republican-supermajority-bid/