2020 Election Recap

2020 ELECTION RESULTS

Last night was a much-anticipated evening of elections, impacting the control of many aspects of state and federal government from the White House to individual state legislative races. Below we have provided a summary of the state and federal elections, while highlighting some of the closer statehouse races. Later in November or early December, committee assignments will be finalized, including committee chairs/ranking members. Look for more information from us as those are announced. The Iowa Legislature will convene on Monday, January 11.

CUPAC ENGAGEMENT

It was a good night for credit union supported candidates. CUPAC actively engaged in 77 legislative races across the state, with 89 percent (58 of 65) of House candidates and 92 percent (11 of 12) of Senate candidates supported by the Credit Union Political Action Committee (CUPAC) winning their elections.

In addition to the state legislature, the Iowa Credit Union League (ICUL) was engaged in our congressional elections, with two of the three candidates we supported (Senator Joni Ernst and Congresswoman Cindy Axne) winning. Congresswoman Finkenauer was the third ICUL- supported federal candidate, she lost to State Representative Ashley Hinson.

PRESIDENTIAL

As of this morning, there is not a declared winner in the election for President of the United States. Several states remain too close to call and neither candidate has secured the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win.

President Trump won Iowa’s 6 electoral votes, 53-45%.

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FEDERAL

It appears Democrats will retain control of the U.S. House, though Republicans gained a few seats. Many races were undecided as of early this morning.

The U.S. Senate is still too close to call the majority – returns so far indicate that Republicans may maintain control of the chamber. There will be a January 5th runoff for the U.S. Senate seat in Georgia, as no candidate reached 50%.

Key Takeaways:

. Iowa Congressional delegation is majority female for first time . U.S. Senate majority too close to call

Iowa Senate: Senator Joni Ernst (R – Red Oak) defeated challenger Theresa Greenfield (D – Des Moines), 52%-45%.

Iowa Congressional District Iowa Congressional District One: State Representative Two: In a very close race, Ashley Hinson (R – Marion) Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R – defeated Ottumwa) appears to have won Congresswoman Abby by 282 votes against former Finkenauer (D – Dubuque) State Senator Rita Hart (D – 51%-49%. Wheatland). This could be challenged.

Iowa Congressional District Iowa Congressional District Three: Congressman Cindy Four: State Senator Randy Axne (D – Des Moines) Feenstra (R - Hull) defeated defeated former challenger J.D. Scholten (D - Congressman David Young Sioux City) by a margin of 62%- (R – Van Meter) in Iowa’s 38%. Third Congressional District, 49%-48%.

STATE

Click HERE to see the current list of State Representatives and Senators who won last evening.

Key Takeaways:

. Republicans increase their House majority to 59 and maintain Senate majority at 32

. Democrats outspent GOP

Iowa House

Going into the election, Republicans held a 53 to 47 lead in the House, with eleven open seat races. Republicans held onto their majority powered by pickups in the suburbs around Des Moines, regaining seats lost only a cycle ago; as well as flipping blue-collar traditional Democrat areas in Southeast Iowa. House Democrats did not beat an incumbent Republican and ended up losing six incumbents themselves. Republicans ended the night with an expanded majority, 59 to 41.

Notable House Races

Here are results of some of the close races:

. State Representative Jeff Shipley (R – Fairfield) defeated former State Representative Phil Miller in a rematch by 170 votes. . State Representative Karin Derry (D – Johnston) lost to Eddie Andrews, 51-49%. . State Representative Mary Gaskill (D – Ottumwa) was defeated by Cherilynn Westrich, 53-47%. . State Representative John Landon (R – Ankeny) won against Andrea Phillips, 53-47%. . State Representative Heather Matson (D – Ankeny) lost to challenge Garrett Gobble by 159 votes. . State Representative Michael Bergan (R – Dorchester) defeated challenger Kayla Koether, 54-46%. . State Representative Gary Mohr (R – Bettendorf) won reelection against Marie Gleason, 55-45%. . State Representative Bobby Kaufmann (R – Wilton) defeated Lonny Pulkrabek, 60-40%. . State Representative Scott Ourth (D – Ackworth) lost his race to Brooke Boden, 54-46%. . State Representative Andy McKean (D – Anamosa) was defeated by challenger Steven Bradley, 53-47%. . House District 95 (open seat in Mt. Vernon/Center Point) was won by Charlie McClintock, 54-46%. . House District 67 (open seat in Marion) was won by Eric Gjerde, 53-47%. . House District 64 (open seat in Oelwein) was won by Chad Ingels, 56-44%. . House District 16 (open seat in Council Bluffs) was won by former Speaker of the House Brent Siegrist, 51-45%.

Iowa Senate

The results of the Iowa Senate was the less anticipated of the two chambers, as it was expected the Senate Republicans would hold their majority. That was the case— both Senate Democrats and Republicans each flipped a seat, maintaining the 32-18 Republican majority.

Notable Senate Races

Here are a few of the close races:

. State Senator Brad Zaun (R – Urbandale) defeated Rhonda Martin, 51-49%. . State Senator Eric Giddens (D – Cedar Falls) won against Harold Youngblut, 51-48%. . State Senator Dan Dawson (R – Council Bluffs) defeated challenger Steve Gorman, 52- 48%. . State Senator Mark Lofgren (R – Muscatine) won his race against former State Senator Chris Brase, 59-41%. . State Senator Rich Taylor (D – Mt. Pleasant) was defeated by Jeff Reichman, 60-40%. . Senate District 44 (open seat in Burlington) was won by Tim Goodwin against former State Senator Tom Courtney, 57-43%. . Senate District 22 (open seat in West Des Moines) was won by Sarah Trone Garriott, by 166 votes.