Third in a series interpreting the results of Iowa’s 2026 state and federal elections.

For the first time in state history, women will make up more than a third of the 50 Iowa senators in 2027.

The number of women serving in the chamber will rise from fifteen this year to eighteen when lawmakers return to Des Moines in January. A nineteenth woman could be elected to the Senate early next year.

The new record represents rapid change from a decade ago, when only six Iowa state senators were women. It’s consistent with a national trend, as Americans elected more women than ever to state legislatures this month, according to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University.

However, the number of women serving in the Iowa House will decline from 29 this year to 27 in January. The high point for female representation in that chamber was the 2019 session, when 34 of the 100 state representatives were women.

Second in a series interpreting the results of Iowa’s 2026 state and federal elections.

The Republican-controlled legislature in Wisconsin moved quickly to reduce the powers of the governor and attorney general after Democrats won elections to those offices in 2018. GOP lawmakers in North Carolina executed a “lame-duck power grab” in 2024 to take authority away from several offices that Democrats would soon occupy.

But Iowa lawmakers appear unlikely to convene before January to undercut Governor-elect Rob Sand or Attorney General-elect Nate Willems.

Asked about prospects for a lame-duck legislative session, House Speaker Pat Grassley told statehouse reporters on November 6, “I would say at this point in time, that’s not on the table.” He added that conversations among House Republicans have focused on “what does the next few months look like as we lead into session.” Grassley said he doesn’t see a reason to have a special session.

First in a series interpreting the results of Iowa’s 2026 state and federal elections. This post first appeared on the Iowa politics with Laura Belin newsletter, where Laura publishes weekly summaries of her radio show, “KHOI’s Capitol Week.” The 30-minute program is also available through all podcast platforms.

It’s been quite the week. I woke up on election day to see the New York Times had published Erik Wemple’s story about my years-long battle for access while covering state government. Here is a gift link. Erik’s research and attention to detail were remarkable—though it was strange to have a reporter following me around for a couple of days!

Erik’s article opens with Governor Kim Reynolds’ press secretary closing the door on me in January. Knowing a community has my back has gotten me through many frustrating days, and I will always be grateful to those who reached out then. When I told Danya Issawi my readers are supportive and even protective, that’s what I had in mind. Danya interviewed me recently for a Substack series on local news writers.

I was out late Tuesday night at the Democrats’ main victory party in Des Moines. Spencer Dirks and I were on the air early Wednesday to break down the election that ended the Iowa Republican trifecta and transformed our Congressional delegation from six Republicans and zero Democrats to a 4-2 Democratic split.

The sound file for our November 4 show (a special 60-minute edition) is available through all podcast platforms. Here’s a detailed summary, for those who would rather read than listen.