Mike Zimmer has been elected the newest Iowa senator after flipping the Senate District 35 seat during this week’s special election. Zimmer, who won with approximately 52% of the vote, defeated Republican candidate Katie Whittington, who garnered about 48%, according to unofficial results from the Iowa Secretary of State’s office.
This special election was necessitated by the resignation of Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer, who previously held the Senate seat. Cournoyer, a Republican, had won her 2022 re-election with 61% of the vote and had comfortably secured the district for President Donald Trump, who won by a substantial margin against then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
Although Democrats celebrate Zimmer’s victory, they will still be significantly outnumbered within the Iowa Senate. Following this election, Republicans will retain control, holding 34 seats compared to the 16 seats held by Democrats. Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner pointed to the election results as indicative of discontent with current GOP leadership. "This win showsthat when Democrats fight for Iowa families, we can win anywhere. This is a victory for Iowans," Weiner stated.
Zimmer, who has served as president of the Central DeWitt School Board, claimed his victory as part of the broader Democratic strategy of reaching out to working families. He emphasized his commitment to supporting education, assisting public schools and teachers, and addressing the cost of living for residents of Eastern Iowa. "I‘m looking forward to working on behalf of the people of Eastern Iowa to help working Iowans get ahead," Zimmer declared during his victory speech.
His opponent, Whittington, characterized herself as backing parental rights and made it known during her campaign she aimed to oversee children's decision-making responsibilities, particularly within school environments. She has been active within the local GOP, having held various roles including as chair for Clinton County for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. It's important to note, Whittington faced challenges during the campaign as she was sidelined by illness, limiting her ability to engage with the voters directly.
Whittington, who has four children, campaigned heavily against the use of eminent domain by private companies and targeted initiatives like carbon dioxide capture pipelines and industrial wind turbines. While the district has shown strong Republican registration numbers, with nearly 14,000 active registered Republicans compared to almost 10,000 Democrats, Zimmer’s win demonstrates potential shifts within voter sentiment.
Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, highlighted the importance of Zimmer's victory, referring to it as "an earthquake victory" for the Democrats. She remarked, "Tonight’s win marks the first flip of thecycle and builds on key majority-making wins...We have dozens more special elections on the horizon. This is just the start for us."
Zimmer, who is 64 years old and retired after over 40 years within the education system, emphasized his experience as fundamental to his campaign. He stated his eagerness to introduce legislative changes based on his long-standing commitment to education and public service, noting how he has been affected by legislation impacting public workers and students alike. His platform includes support for initiatives to expand preschool education and improve postsecondary opportunities for students.
The results of the Iowa Senate District 35 special election have attracted national attention, serving as not just any victory for the Democratic Party, but as part of the larger narrative concerning voter sentiments toward Republican policies at the state level. "This earthquake victory puts Republicans across the country on notice," Williams added, underscoring the campaigning dynamics leading up to the 2024 elections.
After this triumphant win, Zimmer will fulfill the remainder of Cournoyer’s term, which continues through 2026. His election not only reshapes the political scene of Iowa's upper chamber but signifies the need for both parties to reassess their strategy as they head toward upcoming elections and continue to engage with constituents.
Overall, this pivotal election might signal changing tides within Iowa politics and possibly even foreshadows shifts in voter priorities and preferences across similar districts.