Iowa Democrat Catelin Drey has successfully flipped a Republican-held state Senate seat, breaking the GOP’s supermajority in the upper chamber for the first time in three years. This pivotal win, which saw Drey secure 55% of the vote, marks the second victory this year for Democrats in Iowa, following a similar special election win in January. The race was for the seat previously held by late Republican state Sen. Rocky De Witt, who passed away in June after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Drey’s victory comes in a district where President Donald Trump carried by more than 11 points in the last election, highlighting the shift in political alignment in the region. The win not only bolsters Democratic influence but also enhances their ability to block Republican initiatives, including the power to override the governor’s nominees, a significant procedural advantage in the state Senate. This development underscores the growing Democratic momentum leading up to the 2026 midterms, where the party aims to challenge GOP majorities in both chambers of Congress.
Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin praised the result, stating,