The filing deadline to run in the Iowa State Senate District 1 special election passed on Nov. 19. The special election is being held on Dec. 14. Governor Kim Reynolds (R) called the special election on Nov. 3, following the resignation of incumbent Zach Whiting (R) on Oct. 30. Whiting resigned to accept a position with the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Two candidates filed to run in the special election: Dave Rowley (R) and Mark Allen Lemke (D). The candidate withdrawal deadline was Nov. 22.
As of November, 66 state legislative special elections have been scheduled or held in 21 states. Between 2011 and 2020, an average of 75 special elections took place each year. Iowa has held 22 state legislative special elections from 2010 to 2020.
Entering the 2021 special election, the Iowa State Senate has 18 Democrats and 31 Republicans. A majority in the chamber requires 26 seats. Iowa has a Republican trifecta. A state government trifecta exists when one political party simultaneously holds the governor’s office and both state legislative chambers.
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