


Democrat Catelin Drey Flips Iowa Senate Seat, Ending GOP Supermajority in Key Special Election
Democrat Catelin Drey won a special election in Iowa's Sioux City area, defeating Republican Christopher Prosch. This victory broke the GOP's state Senate supermajority.
Overview
- Democrat Catelin Drey secured a significant victory in a special election for Iowa's state Senate, flipping a Republican-held seat in the Sioux City area.
- Drey defeated Republican Christopher Prosch with over 55% of the vote, a win triggered by the death of Republican Senator Rocky De Witt.
- This victory effectively broke the Republican supermajority in the 50-member Iowa Senate, shifting the balance to 33 Republicans and 17 Democrats.
- The election occurred in a district that President Donald Trump previously won by over 11 points, highlighting a notable political shift and Democratic momentum.
- Drey's win empowers Iowa Democrats to block Governor Kim Reynolds' nominations, marking a strategic gain for the party in the state.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, focusing on the factual outcome of the special election and its immediate political implications. They present the Democratic victory and the breaking of the GOP supermajority as the main news, while also including reactions from both Republican and Democratic party officials to provide balanced perspectives on the win's significance.
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FAQ
Catelin Drey's victory flipped a Republican-held Iowa Senate seat, effectively breaking the GOP's supermajority in the state Senate and shifting the balance to 33 Republicans and 17 Democrats.
Catelin Drey defeated Republican Christopher Prosch in the special election, which was triggered by the death of Republican Senator Rocky De Witt.
The district where Drey won was previously won by President Donald Trump by over 11 points, indicating a significant political shift and Democratic momentum in an area previously favoring Republicans.
With the GOP losing its supermajority, Iowa Democrats can now block Governor Kim Reynolds' nominations, representing a strategic gain for the Democratic Party in the state.
Catelin Drey is a Democratic politician originally from North Dakota who moved to Sioux City, Iowa, to attend Morningside University and won the special election for the Iowa Senate's first district in August 2025.
History
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