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BREAKING: Longtime Swing State Now Has Republican Supermajority

By NATION

As the Midwest’s once-unpredictable battlegrounds continue to shift rightward at the national level, the trend is mirrored in the region’s state legislatures. Iowa, historically a pivotal swing state and a launching pad for countless Republican candidates, now stands firmly alongside Ohio in backing the GOP—not just for President-elect Donald Trump but across the board. The Iowa Republican Party announced a historic milestone on Wednesday, declaring that they had secured their first legislative supermajority in 54 years, reflecting a significant surge in Republican support across the state.

“Iowa House Republicans have received a mandate from the people of Iowa,” wrote State Representative Austin Harris, whose district covers southern portions of the state. “We have a historic opportunity to think big and act boldly. And we will deliver!” The supermajority will enable Republicans to govern without needing bipartisan support or engaging in backroom negotiations. This means that Republicans in the State Assembly and State Senate can pass party-line bills directly to Kim Reynolds, Iowa’s Republican governor, or override her veto if necessary.



The final races that sealed Iowa’s Republican supermajority were decided in communities like Dubuque and Marshalltown, where Democratic incumbents were unseated by a wave of MAGA voters. These voters also helped deliver 55.7% of the vote for President-elect Donald Trump—the largest share for any presidential candidate in Iowa since Richard Nixon in 1972. Before the November 5 election, Republicans had already secured a supermajority in the state Senate, where they still managed to gain two additional seats. In the House, Republicans held 64 of the 100 seats heading into Election Day. According to 5 News, the party now appears to have gained three more seats following the final vote count.

“Every time there’s been a general election, special election, we’ve decided we wanted to pick up seats every time,” Speaker of the House Pat Grassley said at the Iowa Republicans Election Day watch party. “So I hope that’s OK with you all across the state of Iowa. All incumbents were re-elected, and how does the number 67 House Republicans sound to everybody?”

Timothy Hagle, an associate professor of political science at the University of Iowa, explained that Reynolds would benefit from having a supermajority in the Senate, which may expedite certain political appointments. “In our case, for the governor to make certain appointments, it requires a two-thirds confirmation in the state Senate,” he said. “If you don’t have supermajority control, then that would mean you would need some bipartisan support.” Since 2015, Republicans have dominated Des Moines, pushing forward various conservative priorities, including measures to secure voting rights and religious freedom bills.




Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.