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Iowa State Senate elections, 2012

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Iowa's 2012 elections
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Iowa State Senate elections, 2012
Majority control •Campaign contributions
Qualifications •Impact of Redistricting
State Legislative Election Results
List of candidates
District 2 •District 4 •District 6 •District 8 •District 10 •District 12 •District 14 •District 16 •District 18 •District 20 •District 22 •District 24 •District 26 •District 28 •District 30 •District 32 •District 34 •District 36 •District 38 •District 40 •District 42 •District 44 •District 46 •District 48 •District 46 •District 49 •District 50
Iowa State Senate •2012 Iowa House Elections
State legislative elections in 2012

Elections for the office ofIowa State Senate were held inIowa onNovember 6, 2012. Atotal of 26 seats were up for election. In a normal election year, there would be 25 seats up for election. However, because incumbentRobert Bacon (R) chose to retire halfway through his term, his seat was up for election as well.

The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was March 16, 2012. The primary Election Day was June 5, 2012.

See also:Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2012 andState legislative elections, 2012
Map of Iowa Senate Districts with less than 10% party registration differential before and after the2010 redistricting. A total of 18 legislative districts met the criteria after 2010.

Impact of redistricting

See also:Redistricting in Iowa

In Iowa, theIowa Legislative Services Agency uses computer software to generate a proposed redistricting map. Although the legislature must approve the final maps, lawmakers may not revise a plan until two previous plans have been rejected. In 2011, lawmakers approved the first plan submitted by the agency.[1]

Due to population shifts, the redistricting plan drew about a third of state legislators into districts with other sitting legislators. The Senate plan involved seven of these matchups, including one Democratic pairing, two bi-partisan matchups, and three Republican pairings. The plan drew Senate PresidentJohn Kibbie (D) and incumbentDavid Johnson (R) into the same district and left 14 of the state's 100 House districts without an incumbent.[2]

 Iowa Redistricting: 2000 vs. 2010 Census Maps 
  • This map shows the Iowa State Senate Districts after the 2000 census.

    This map shows theIowa State Senate Districts after the 2000 census.

  • This map shows the Iowa House Districts after the 2000 census.

    This map shows theIowa House Districts after the 2000 census.

  • This map shows the 2010 Senate and House districts as approved. Each Senate district is divided into two house districts, as noted by the blue lines.

    This map shows the 2010 Senate and House districts as approved. Each Senate district is divided into two house districts, as noted by the blue lines.

Majority control

See also:Partisan composition of state senates

Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in theIowa State Senate:

Iowa State Senate
PartyAs of November 5, 2012After the 2012 Election
    Democratic Party2626
    Republican Party2423
    Vacancy01
Total5050
See also:Ballotpedia:"Game-changers" in the 2012 state legislative elections

Incumbents retiring

A total of eight incumbents did not run for re-election in 2012. Those incumbents were:

NamePartyCurrent Office
Gene FraiseElectiondot.pngDemocraticSenate District 46
James SeymourEnds.pngRepublicanSenate District 28
John KibbieElectiondot.pngDemocraticSenate District 4
Paul McKinleyEnds.pngRepublicanSenate District 36
Robert BaconEnds.pngRepublicanSenate District 5
Steve KetteringEnds.pngRepublicanSenate District 26
Tom HancockElectiondot.pngDemocraticSenate District 16
Tom RiellyElectiondot.pngDemocraticSenate District 38

Campaign contributions

This chart shows how many candidates ran for state senate in Iowa in past years and the cumulative amount of campaign contributions in state senate races, including contributions in both primary and general election contests. All figures come fromFollow The Money.[3]

YearNumber of candidatesTotal contributions
201055$5,058,528
200879$6,045,502
200675$7,456,412
200474$7,217,102
200298$4,266,190

In 2010, a total of $5,058,528 was raised in campaign contributions by those running for state senate. The top donors were:[4]

DonorAmount
Iowa Democratic Party$1,540,045
Iowa Republican Party$607,907
Iowans for Tax Relief$112,250
Associated General Contractors of Iowa$89,750
Iowa Credit Union League$80,000
Iowa Dental Association$71,550
Iowa Bankers Association$69,500
Iowa Farm Bureau$66,779
Iowa Healthcare Association$66,250
Butler County Republican Central Cmte$61,300

Qualifications

TheIowa Constitution states, "Senators shall be chosen for the term of four years, at the same time and place as representatives; they shall be twenty-five years of age, and possess the qualifications of representatives as to residence and citizenship."[5]

List of candidates

District 2

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
  • No candidates filed.
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:
  • Randy Feenstra: 2,774Approveda Incumbent Feenstra first assumed office in 2009.

November 6 General election candidates:

Republican PartyRandy Feenstra: 26,030Green check mark transparent.png

District 4

Note: Incumbent DemocratJohn Kibbie did not seek re-election.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyBob Jennings: 14,299
Republican PartyDennis Guth: 16,033Green check mark transparent.png

District 6

Note: Incumbent RepublicanMerlin Bartz ran for re-election in District 26.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyMary C. Bruner: 12,058
Republican PartyMark Segebart: 16,023Green check mark transparent.png

District 8

note: Incumbent DemocratMary Jo Wilhelm won re-election in District 26.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyMichael E. Gronstal: 12,632Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyAl Ringgenberg: 10,198

District 10

Note: Incumbent DemocratJeff Danielson won re-election in District 30.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
  • No candidates filed.
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Republican PartyJake Chapman: 22,594Green check mark transparent.png

District 12

Note: Incumbent DemocratBrian Schoenjahn won re-election in District 32.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
  • No candidates filed.
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:
  • Joni K. Ernst: 5,611Approveda- Incumbent Ernst first assumed office in 2011.

November 6 General election candidates:

Republican PartyJoni K. Ernst: 22,205Green check mark transparent.png

District 14

Note: Incumbent DemocratPam Jochum won re-election in District 50.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyDick Schrad: 11,011
Republican PartyAmy Sinclair: 17,141Green check mark transparent.png

District 16

Note: Incumbent DemocratTom Hancock did not seek re-election.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyDick L. Dearden: 16,065Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyDavid Scott Edwards: 8,469

District 18

Note: Incumbent DemocratLiz Mathis won re-election in District 34.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyJanet Petersen: 18,954Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyVicki Stogdill: 8,455

District 20

Note: Incumbent RepublicanTim Kapucian won re-election in District 38.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
  • No candidates filed.
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:
  • Brad Zaun: 1,479Approveda- Incumbent Zaun first assumed office in 2005.

November 6 General election candidates:

Republican PartyBrad Zaun: 24,236Green check mark transparent.png

District 22

Note: Incumbent DemocratSteven Sodders won re-election in District 36.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

See also:Iowa state legislative special elections, 2012

Due toPat Ward's death on October 15, the seat was decided in a special election on December 11, 2012. Ward and Adams remained on the November ballot, with vote counts tabulated but not canvassed. Republican Party officials held a special nominating convention to name a replacement candidate to face Adams in the December 11 special election. Republicans had until November 13 to name a candidate.[6]

District 24

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:
  • Jerry Behn: 2,113Approveda- Incumbent Behn first assumed office in 1997.

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyShelly Stotts: 14,049
Republican PartyJerry Behn: 17,035Green check mark transparent.png

District 26

Note: Incumbent RepublicanSteve Kettering did not seek re-election.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:
  • Merlin Bartz: 2,104Approveda- Incumbent Bartz first assumed office in 2009.

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyMary Jo Wilhelm: 15,530Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyMerlin Bartz: 15,404

District 28

Note: Incumbent RepublicanJames Seymour did not seek re-election.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyJohn Beard: 14,833
Republican PartyMichael Breitbach: 14,867Green check mark transparent.png

District 30

Note: Incumbent RepublicanPat Ward, who had been running for re-election in District 22, died on October 15, 2012.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
  • Jeff Danielson: 421Approveda- Incumbent Danielson first assumed office in 2006.
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyJeff Danielson: 16,946Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyMatt Reisetter: 16,265

District 32

Note: Incumbent RepublicanBrad Zaun won re-election in District 20.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyBrian Schoenjahn: 16,338Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyElliott Henderson: 14,346

District 34

Note: Incumbent DemocratDick Dearden won re-election in District 16.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
  • Liz Mathis: 1,157Approveda- Incumbent Mathis first assumed office in 2011.
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

Note: Shannon withdrew on July 4, stating that she was joining the "Republic of the United States of America," which she called the "original government." The current federal government, she said, is illegitimate, calling it an "Unlawful Corporate Democracy."[7]

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyLiz Mathis: 21,178Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyRyan Flood: 13,401

District 36

Note: Incumbent RepublicanPaul McKinley did not seek re-election.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
  • Steve Sodders: 927Approveda- Incumbent Sodders first assumed office in 2009.
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartySteve Sodders: 15,733Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyJane A. Jech: 13,360

District 38

Note: Incumbent DemocratTom Rielly did not seek re-election.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:
  • Tim Kapucian: 1,799Approveda- Incumbent Kapucian first assumed office in 2009.

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyShelley Parbs: 14,137
Republican PartyTim Kapucian: 17,124Green check mark transparent.png

District 40

Note: Incumbent RepublicanJames Hahn ran for re-election in District 46.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyTim Tripp: 11,670
Republican PartyKen Rozenboom: 17,628Green check mark transparent.png

District 42

Note: Incumbent RepublicanShawn Hamerlinck ran for re-election in District 46.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyRich Taylor: 15,058Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyLarry W. Kruse: 13,281
Grey.pngMichael Garmoe (Nominated by petition): 1,396

District 44

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyThomas G. Courtney: 16,125Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyBrad Bourn: 12,168

District 46

Note: Incumbent DemocratGene Fraise did not seek re-election.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:
  • Jim Hahn: 947 - Incumbent Hahn first assumed office in 2005.
  • Shawn Hamerlinck: 1,476Approveda- Incumbent Hamerlinck first assumed office in 2009.

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyChris Brase: 15,960Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyShawn Hamerlinck: 13,950

District 48

Note: Incumbent RepublicanJoni Ernst won re-election in District 12.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyNate Willems: 15,858
Republican PartyDan Zumbach: 16,415Green check mark transparent.png

District 49

Note: Due to redistricting, the new District 49 is an open seat. Old District 49 incumbent RepublicanHubert Houser was moved into District 11 and did not run for re-election in 2012.[8]

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyRita Hart: 17,305Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyAndrew Naeve: 14,398

District 50

Note: Incumbent DemocratMichael Gronstal won re-election in District 8.

Democratic PartyJune 5 Democratic primary:
  • Pam Jochum: 846Approveda- Incumbent Jochum first assumed office in 2009.
Republican PartyJune 5 GOP primary:

November 6 General election candidates:

Democratic PartyPam Jochum: 20,808Green check mark transparent.png
Republican PartyWilliam Johnson: 9,790

External links

See also

Footnotes


Current members of theIowa State Senate
Leadership
Senate President:Amy Sinclair
Majority Leader:Michael Klimesh
Minority Leader:Janice Weiner
Senators
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
District 35
District 36
District 37
District 38
District 39
District 40
District 41
District 42
District 43
District 44
District 45
District 46
District 47
District 48
District 49
District 50
Republican Party (33)
Democratic Party (17)


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