Democrat Renee Hardman wins Iowa state Senate seat, blocking GOP from reclaiming supermajority
PBS••nation
Key Points:
- Democrat Renee Hardman won a special election for the Iowa state Senate, preventing Republicans from regaining a two-thirds supermajority in the chamber.
- Hardman, CEO of Lutheran Services of Iowa and West Des Moines City Council member, became the first Black woman elected to the 50-member Iowa Senate.
- Her victory extends a series of Democratic special election wins in Iowa, which have chipped away at the Republican supermajority and require GOP to seek Democratic support for certain legislative approvals.
- The Democratic National Committee hailed the win as part of a broader trend of Democratic overperformance in recent elections, boosting hopes for the 2026 midterms.
- Iowa GOP leaders acknowledged the tough race but remain focused on expanding their legislative major
