Democrats break GOP supermajority in Iowa Senate by flipping Republican seat in special election
Catelin Drey's win gives her party an additional seat, bringing the number of Democrats in the upper chamber to 17 and breaking Republicans' two-thirds supermajority.
In a surprising political upset that could signal shifting voter sentiment, Iowa Democrats broke the Republican supermajority in the state Senate on Tuesday night after flipping a traditionally conservative seat in a closely watched special election.
Catelin Drey, a Democrat and first-time candidate, won the Sioux City–area Senate District race with 55% of the vote, defeating Republican Christopher Prosch, who secured 44%, according to unofficial results with all precincts reporting. The victory gives Democrats a total of 17 seats in the 50-member chamber, reducing Republicans to 33 seats and stripping them of their two-thirds supermajority advantage.
The special election was triggered by the death of Republican Sen. Rocky De Witt, who passed away in June after a battle with cancer. De Witt, first elected in 2022, had represented the solidly Republican district, which former President Donald Trump carried in 2024.
A Symbolic Win for Democrats
While Republicans still control both the Iowa Senate and House, the loss of a supermajority carries symbolic weight. Democrats can now wield more influence in blocking GOP-backed constitutional amendments and slowing certain pieces of legislation that previously sailed through the chamber with little resistance.
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin hailed the victory as proof that grassroots organizing is working, even in traditionally conservative strongholds.
“Iowans are seeing Republicans for who they are: self-serving liars who will throw their constituents under the bus to rubber-stamp Donald Trump’s disastrous agenda — and they’re ready for change,” Martin said in a statement. “Make no mistake: when Democrats organize everywhere, we win everywhere, and today is no exception.”
Drey’s campaign emphasized local issues like access to affordable healthcare, improving Iowa’s education system, and restoring reproductive rights protections — messaging that appeared to resonate with voters who have increasingly expressed frustration over Iowa Republicans’ push for stricter abortion bans and education reforms.
A Broader Pattern of Democratic Momentum
The Iowa result adds to a growing trend of Democratic overperformance in special elections since Vice President Kamala Harris narrowly lost the 2024 presidential race to Trump. Democrats have consistently flipped seats or outperformed expectations, even in deep-red districts.
In January, Democrat Mike Zimmer shocked political observers by flipping another state Senate seat that Trump had won by 25 points just months earlier. Zimmer’s four-point victory was widely seen as an early indicator of dissatisfaction with GOP leadership.
Political analysts say Tuesday’s outcome could foreshadow challenges for Republicans heading into the 2026 midterms, especially in states like Iowa where GOP dominance has gone largely unchecked for years.
What’s Next for Iowa Politics
While Republicans retain control of the state legislature, losing their supermajority forces them to engage in more negotiation — at least procedurally — with Democrats on key measures. It also injects a surge of energy and fundraising momentum into Iowa Democrats, who have struggled to regain influence after years of Republican dominance.
Governor Kim Reynolds, who called the special election following De Witt’s passing, has yet to comment on the outcome. But political insiders expect the GOP to recalibrate its messaging ahead of 2026, particularly in suburban and swing districts where Democrats are making inroads.
For now, Democrats are celebrating what they view as a morale-boosting victory that proves Iowa is not entirely out of reach.
“We proved tonight that no district is too red, and no seat is safe when voters are energized and organized,” Drey told supporters during her victory speech. “This is just the beginning of a movement to restore balance in Iowa politics.”
With national eyes already turning toward next year’s legislative races, Iowa’s special election has become the latest sign that political winds may be shifting in unexpected places.
Before You Click Away!
Catelin Drey’s victory isn’t just a political shift — it’s proof of the power of electing women who understand their communities’ needs and fight for working families. Yet, women are still drastically underrepresented in politics, holding fewer than one-third of all state legislative seats nationwide.
At The Women Post, we’re dedicated to changing that by amplifying women’s voices, elevating female leaders, and building pathways for more women to run for office and win.
If you believe in representation and want to see more victories like Drey’s, we invite you — our valued readers — to upgrade to our Annual Plan today. Right now, you can get 40% off your subscription, and your support helps us continue to shine a spotlight on women leaders and fuel a movement for equal representation.