Politics in the Hawkeye State usually feels like a slow-burn chess match, but the 2024 cycle had some genuine "wait, what?" moments. If you were looking at who is running for Iowa Senate 2024, you probably noticed that the stakes weren't just about local potholes. They were about the supermajority. Republicans walked into this election holding 33 of the 50 seats, just one shy of that magic number of 34 that lets a party basically bypass certain procedural hurdles.
By the time the dust settled, the map looked a little different. A few long-term veterans got sent home. A few newcomers shook things up. Honestly, it was a weird night for incumbents on both sides of the aisle.
The Names You Saw on the Ballot
Even-numbered districts were the ones up for grabs this time around. That’s 25 seats in total. While some races were essentially decided before they even started—thanks to a lack of opposition—others were absolute slugfests.
Take District 22 in the Des Moines suburbs. This was arguably the biggest upset of the night. Brad Zaun, a Republican heavyweight who had been in the Senate since 2005 and served as the President Pro Tempore, lost his seat. He was unseated by Democrat Matt Blake, a lawyer and Urbandale City Council member. It wasn't even one of those "recount required" margins; Blake won with roughly 52% of the vote. People in the suburbs are changing how they vote, and this race was the neon sign proving it.
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Then you have District 14, where Sarah Trone Garriott (the Democratic incumbent) went head-to-head with Republican Mark Hanson. This race was a nail-biter. Trone Garriott managed to hold on by a razor-thin margin—less than 100 votes in some early counts. It shows just how purple some parts of Iowa still are, even if the state's overall trend is looking pretty red.
Who Won and Who Lost the Big Races
If you want the quick rundown of who actually came out on top in the most talked-about matchups, here is how the primary battles shook out:
- District 20: Republican Mike Pike defeated the Democratic incumbent Nate Boulton. This was a significant pickup for the GOP in a seat that many thought might stay blue.
- District 38: In a flip for the Republicans, Dave Sires beat out incumbent Democrat Eric Giddens.
- District 30: This one was interesting because the incumbent, Waylon Brown, actually dropped out of the race late in the game. Republican Doug Campbell eventually took the seat, defeating Democrat Richard Lorence.
- District 36: Democrat Thomas Townsend managed to win the seat previously held by the retiring Democratic leader Pam Jochum, keeping that spot in the blue column by defeating Republican Nicholas Molo.
Republicans did eventually hit that 34-seat threshold. That gives them a supermajority in the Iowa Senate. What does that actually mean? Basically, they can now confirm or reject gubernatorial appointments without needing a single Democratic vote. It’s a huge shift in leverage.
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Why the Suburban Shift Matters
It’s easy to look at the total numbers and think Iowa is a monolith. It isn't. The trend we saw with Matt Blake beating Brad Zaun suggests that while rural Iowa is getting redder, the suburbs of Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City are moving in the opposite direction.
Voters in these areas seemed focused on specific issues like school vouchers and reproductive rights. You've probably heard the term "split-ticket voting." It happened here. Some folks might have voted for a Republican at the top of the ticket but went for a Democrat for their local state senator because of a specific stance on education.
The Uncontested Races
Kinda crazy, but in several districts, the "who is running" part was a very short list.
Tim Kraayenbrink (District 4) and Jeff Taylor (District 2) basically coasted. If you lived in those districts, your ballot probably felt like a formality. When one party doesn't even field a candidate, it usually means they've crunched the numbers and realized the "hill is too steep to climb," so they put their money into closer races like District 14 or 22.
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What Happens Next for Iowans?
Now that the 2024 cycle is in the rearview mirror and the new General Assembly is seated in 2025, the focus moves to policy. With a 34-15 split (and one vacancy usually floating around), the GOP has the "keys to the car."
You should expect to see more movement on:
- Income Tax Reform: There is a huge push to move Iowa toward a flat tax or even eliminate the state income tax entirely.
- Education Policy: Following the 2023-2024 trends, expect more debate over AEA (Area Education Agencies) and how school funds are allocated.
- Administrative Appointments: Since the Senate confirms the people who run state agencies, the GOP supermajority means Governor Reynolds will have an even smoother path for her picks.
If you want to stay involved, don't just wait for the next election. You can actually track specific bills on the Iowa Legislature website. It’s surprisingly user-friendly. You can search by "Senator" to see exactly what the person you voted for (or against) is sponsoring.
Next Steps for Informed Voters:
Check the official Iowa Secretary of State website to see the final certified vote counts for your specific precinct. Then, look up your Senator's subcommittee assignments. That's where the real work happens before a bill ever reaches the floor for a vote. If you have a problem with a local issue, the subcommittee meeting is actually the best place to have your voice heard.