A Democrat has won a special election in Iowa, blocking Republicans from gaining a supermajority in the state Senate. Renee Hardman, a West Des Moines City Council member, defeated Republican Lucas Loftin by a wide margin in a district in which registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 3,000 voters.
The win is the latest in a string of Democratic victories around the country that have given the party momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
Ken Martin, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, called Hardman’s victory “a major check on Republican power.” It followed wins by two other Iowa Democrats — Mike Zimmer and Catelin Drey — in special elections in Republican-leaning Iowa districts earlier this year.
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Hardman’s victory and effect on GOP’s supermajority
Hardman replaces Democratic Sen. Claire Celsi, who died in October.
Republicans still hold a 33-17 majority in the state Senate, but Hardman’s win on Tuesday prevented the GOP from reaching the two-thirds margin needed for a supermajority.
The election’s outcome was a blow to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds ahead of the 2026 state legislative session, which begins Jan. 12. Without a supermajority, Republicans will need at least one Democratic vote to approve Reynolds’ appointments to key positions. Republicans also lost the ability to override vetoes and call for special sessions without Democratic help.
Ernst not running, Democrats eye possible pickup
Although Hardman won in a district that then-Vice President Kamala Harris carried by 17 points in last year’s presidential election, her win gave Democrats hope for a strong showing in the 2026 midterms.
Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst is not seeking a third term, and Democrats hope to flip her seat as they try to take control of Congress.
Republicans currently hold a 53-47 margin in the Senate, with 35 seats up for election in November. Republicans will attempt to defend 22 of those seats, while Democrats will try to hold on to 13 while gaining in other states. Democrats would need four pickups to take control of the Senate and blunt President Donald Trump’s agenda in his final two years in office.
Eight candidates have joined the race to succeed Ernst: Democrats Chris Henry, Nathan Sage, Josh Turek and Zach Wahls and Republicans John Berman, Jim Carlin, Joshua Smith and Ashley Hinson. The primaries are scheduled for June 2.
Trump won Iowa by 13 points in 2024. All four U.S. House members from the state are Republicans, as are both senators. While Ernst is stepping down, 91-year-old Sen. Charles Grassley has not ruled out a run for a ninth term in 2028.
Despite the loss this week, Iowa Republicans say they are confident the state will remain under GOP control.
“Although we fell short this time,” Jeff Kaufmann, the state Republican chairman, said, “the Republican Party of Iowa remains laser-focused on expanding our majorities in the Iowa Legislature and keeping Iowa ruby-red.”
