Democrat Mike Zimmer Wins Iowa Senate District 35

In a significant political shift, Democrat Mike Zimmer won the special election for Iowa Senate District 35, defeating Republican Katie Whittington with 51.7% of the vote. The district, which covers parts of Clinton, Jackson, and Scott counties, was previously held by Republican Chris Cournoyer, who resigned to become the state's lieutenant governor. Despite the win, Republicans retain a strong majority in the Iowa Senate with a 34-16 margin. Zimmer, a retired teacher and school board president, credited the victory to a robust campaign effort that resonated with a bipartisan coalition. The election outcome is seen as a message against the Republican agenda, which critics argue has led to stagnant wages and defunded schools. This result marks a rare Democratic gain in a district that had heavily favored Republicans in recent elections.