Iowa Sen. Claire Celsi Dies; Special Election Required

Iowa State Senator Claire Celsi of West Des Moines died at age 59, her daughter confirmed, after she entered hospice care on Sept. 18. She had been dealing with an undisclosed medical condition that caused her to miss months of the 2025 legislative session; she returned after surgery in April before entering hospice in September. Celsi was first elected in 2018 and was reelected in 2022 and 2024, representing Senate District 16 (parts of West Des Moines, Clive and Windsor Heights). She served as Senate Democratic assistant leader and as the ranking member of the Senate Government Oversight Committee. Colleagues from both parties, including Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner, Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, and Gov. Kim Reynolds, offered condolences and praised her advocacy for public education, nursing home residents and other vulnerable Iowans. State law requires the governor to call a special election to fill her seat, which would next be up in 2026; she is survived by her husband, two daughters and grandchildren.