In the1869 Iowa State Senate elections,Iowa voters elected state senators to serve in the thirteenthIowa General Assembly. Following the expansion of theIowa Senate from 49 to 50 seats in 1869, elections were held for 21 of the state senate's 50 seats.[f] State senators serve four-year terms in theIowa State Senate.
The general election took place on October 12, 1869.[9]
Following theprevious election in 1867,Republicans had control of the Iowa Senate with 40 seats toDemocrats' eight seats and a lone member from thePeople's Party. However, three changes occurred during the twelfth general assembly. In thetenth district, Republican SenatorCharles Leopold Matthies died on October 16, 1868, causing a vacancy in his seat.[10] In theeighteenth district, Republican SenatorJohn R. Needham died on July 9, 1868, causing a vacancy in his seat.[11] In thetwenty-fourth district, Republican SenatorWilliam Penn Wolf resigned on March 3, 1869, causing a vacancy in his seat.[12] All three seats were left vacant until the next election. Therefore, by election day in 1869, the Republicans held 37 seats, the Democrats held 8 seats, there was a lone People's Party member, and three seats were vacant (all the vacancies had been held by Republicans).
To claim control of the chamber fromRepublicans, theDemocrats needed to net 18 Senate seats.
Republicans maintained control of theIowa State Senate following the election with the balance of power shifting toRepublicans holding 43 seats andDemocrats having seven seats (a net gain of 6 seats for Republicans).[b]
^abcFollowing the1867 Iowa Senate election, Republicans held 40 seats to Democrats' 8 and a lone seat held by a People's Party member. However, three changes occurred during the twelfth general assembly. In thetenth district, Republican SenatorCharles Leopold Matthies died on October 16, 1868, causing a vacancy in his seat.[1] In theeighteenth district, Republican SenatorJohn R. Needham died on July 9, 1868, causing a vacancy in his seat.[2] In thetwenty-fourth district, Republican SenatorWilliam Penn Wolf resigned on March 3, 1869, causing a vacancy in his seat.[3] All three seats were left vacant until the next election. Therefore, by election day in 1869, the Republicans held 37 seats, the Democrats held 8 seats, there was a lone People's Party member, and three seats were vacant (all the vacancies had been held by Republicans).
^abcdTheIowa Senate expanded from 49 seats to 50 seats following the 1869 general election.[4]
^Article IV, section 18, of the Constitution of Iowa at that time established that theLieutenant Governor of Iowa shall perform the duties of the President of the Senate. The Lieutenant Governor performed the duties of President of the Senate from January 11, 1858 through January 14, 1991. As of 1991, duties of Iowa's Lieutenant Governor no longer include presiding over the state Senate.[5]
^AsLieutenant Governor,John Scott was the thirteenth President of the Iowa Senate. He served during the twelfth Iowa General Assembly, succeeding RepublicanBenjamin F. Gue in that leadership position.[6]
^As the nextLieutenant Governor,Henry Clay Bulis was the fourteenth President of the Iowa Senate. He served during the thirteenth Iowa General Assembly, succeeding RepublicanJohn Scott in that leadership position.[7]
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