How could they lose?
In a surprising turn of events, Iowa Democrats have flipped a state Senate seat in a district that was solidly in Donald Trump’s column by 21 points in the 2020 election. This special election result raises some questions about the GOP’s hold on key state races, even as the Republican Party continues to ride a wave of national success.
Across the nation, Republicans are on the rise, with Trump outperforming his 2020 numbers in nearly every state during his 2024 campaign. The GOP now controls both the U.S. Senate and House, and in Iowa, Trump increased his margin by five points. His approval rating is soaring after securing a second term in office. However, the results of the special election for Iowa’s Senate District 35 may serve as a cautionary tale for Republicans, showing that the political climate may not be as certain as it seems.
In a tightly contested race, Democrat Mike Zimmer defeated Republican Kate Whittington, taking the seat previously held by Republican Chris Cournoyer. Cournoyer, who resigned to become lieutenant governor, had won the district by a decisive 22-point margin in 2022. This year, however, Zimmer secured just under 52 percent of the vote, edging out Whittington’s 48 percent. Zimmer is a retired teacher and coach, currently serving as president of the Central DeWitt School Board.
This district, which covers parts of Jackson, Clinton, and Scott counties, had been a solid red stronghold for Trump, flipping Scott County back to the GOP in 2024 after it had been a narrow blue district in the previous election cycles. Even so, Zimmer’s win demonstrates that Republicans could face challenges even in traditionally conservative areas.
In his victory speech, Zimmer emphasized his commitment to working on behalf of the people of Eastern Iowa, focusing on issues like supporting public schools, lowering the cost of living, and standing up for hardworking Iowans. Democrats, including Senate Leader Janice Weiner, celebrated the win as a sign of frustration with the Republican agenda under Governor Kim Reynolds, criticizing the GOP for stagnating wages, defunding schools, and overreaching in local governance.
With Zimmer’s win, the Iowa state Senate will now have 16 Democrats and 34 Republicans. He will serve the remainder of Cournoyer’s term through 2026, but his victory shows that, even in a strong Trump state like Iowa, Republicans can’t afford to take their dominance for granted. The GOP will need to stay focused and energized if they want to hold onto power at both the state and national levels.