Key Takeaways
- Democrat Renee Hardman was elected to the Iowa state Senate in a special election, denying Republicans two-thirds control of the chamber.
- Hardman, the first Black woman elected to the 50-member Senate, won by a significant margin of 43 percentage points.
- The victory is a major check on Republican power and prevents the party from easily confirming GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds’ appointments to state agencies and commissions.
- Democrats have had a string of special election victories in Iowa, flipping two Senate seats this year and breaking up a Republican supermajority.
- The Democratic party must net three House seats in 2026 to reclaim the majority and impede President Trump’s agenda.
Introduction to the Election Results
The results of the special election in Iowa have been announced, and Democrat Renee Hardman has emerged as the winner. Hardman, the CEO of nonprofit Lutheran Services of Iowa and a member of the West Des Moines City Council, has been elected to the Iowa state Senate, representing parts of the Des Moines suburbs. This seat became vacant after the death of state Sen. Claire Celsi, a Democrat, on October 6. Hardman’s victory is significant, as it denies Republicans two-thirds control of the chamber and prevents them from easily confirming GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds’ appointments to state agencies and commissions.
The Significance of Hardman’s Victory
Hardman’s win is not just a personal achievement, but also a significant milestone for the Democratic party in Iowa. She becomes the first Black woman to be elected to the 50-member Senate, and her victory is seen as a major check on Republican power. With 99% of votes counted, Hardman led by about 43 percentage points, indicating a decisive win. Her victory is the latest in a string of special election victories for Iowa Democrats, who have flipped two Senate seats this year to break up a Republican supermajority. This supermajority had allowed Republicans to easily confirm GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds’ appointments to state agencies and commissions, but Hardman’s win prevents them from regaining this control.
The Impact on Republican Power
The Republican party still has significant majorities in both chambers, including an airtight 66-33 supermajority in the Iowa House of Representatives. However, without a supermajority in the state Senate, the party will need to get support from at least one state Senate Democrat to approve Reynolds’ nominees. This is a significant setback for the Republican party, which had been hoping to regain control of the Senate. Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, called Hardman’s victory "a major check on Republican power" and noted that it is a sign of the Democratic party’s momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
The Reaction from Both Parties
Hardman’s opponent, Republican Lucas Loftin, congratulated her on her victory and told The Associated Press that he is praying for her as she embarks on this important chapter. Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann also applauded Loftin and his supporters for putting up a fight in what he described as "a very tough district." However, Kaufmann also noted that the Republican party remains committed to expanding its majorities in the Iowa Legislature and keeping Iowa "ruby-red." On the other hand, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee has pledged to help defend the party’s gains in Iowa and prevent the return of a GOP supermajority next year.
The Bigger Picture
Hardman’s victory is not just significant for Iowa, but also has implications for the national political landscape. The Democratic party has had a string of special election victories in recent months, including winning governor’s races in Virginia and New Jersey, and holding onto a Kentucky state Senate seat. While the party still faces an uphill battle to reclaim the majority in the House of Representatives, Hardman’s win gives them hope for the 2026 midterm elections. The party must net three House seats in 2026 to reclaim the majority and impede President Trump’s agenda, and victories like Hardman’s suggest that they may be on track to achieve this goal. As Ken Martin noted, "2025 was the year of Democratic victories and overperformance, and Democrats are on track for big midterm elections."
