Iowa Republicans recently reappointed Senator Jack Whitver as Senate Majority Leader and Representative Pat Grassley as House Speaker following a strong showing in the 2024 elections.
Republicans expanded their majorities to historic levels, holding a 67-33 supermajority in the Iowa House and a 35-15 supermajority in the Iowa Senate, the largest Republican majorities since 1970.
Whitver, who has led Senate Republicans since 2018, expressed pride in past accomplishments, including tax reform and support for law enforcement. Diagnosed with a brain tumor earlier this year, Whitver has seen positive treatment results, with his tumor reportedly shrinking.
Senate Republicans also reelected Senator Amy Sinclair as Senate President and named Senator Ken Rozenboom as President Pro Tempore.
Senator Mike Klimesh was chosen as Majority Whip, with additional leadership roles filled by Senators Carrie Koelker, Adrian Dickey, Lynn Evans, and Tim Kraayenbrink.
In the Iowa House, Republicans retained Pat Grassley as Speaker and reappointed Matt Windschitl as Majority Leader. Grassley, who has served as Speaker since 2019, highlighted his party’s budget management and commitment to reducing government red tape as factors in their expanded majority.
House Democrats, meanwhile, reelected Representative Jennifer Konfrst as Minority Leader, while Senate Democrats await leadership elections to fill the Minority Leader position after Senator Pam Jochum’s upcoming retirement.