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Iowa Republicans seek to retain legislative power
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Iowa Republicans seek to retain legislative power

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa Republicans expect to maintain their majority in the Iowa Legislature, the question is whether it will remain a supermajority.

Before the 2024 elections, Republicans held 34 of the Senate’s 50 seats and 64 of the House’s 100 seats.

Each House seat is up for renewal every two years, but only half of Iowa’s Senate seats will be up for election in November. With those seats not in contention, Republicans already hold a 17-8 advantage. Add in unopposed races and Republicans are essentially guaranteed at least 20 seats in the Iowa Senate to Democrats’ 9.

The unopposed seats in the House are split fairly evenly, with Democrats holding a slight advantage, 15-14.

Republicans secured this vast majority advantage in the Iowa House and Senate after the 2022 elections, leaving Iowa Democrats with little power, but they have to complain about the bills introduced in the chambers .

If Democrats are able to flip a seat, they will regain the power to hold back appointees in need of confirmation votes, which they could use to negotiate legislative concessions.