Iowa State Senate elections, 2012
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Iowa's 2012 elections U.S. House • State Senate • State House • Candidate ballot access |
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Elections for the office of Iowa State Senate were held in Iowa on November 6, 2012. A total of 26 seats were up for election. In a normal election year, there would be 25 seats up for election. However, because incumbent Robert 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.
Impact of redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in Iowa
In Iowa, the Iowa 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 President John Kibbie (D) and incumbent David 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 |
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Majority control
- See also: Partisan composition of state senates
Heading into the November 6 election, the Democratic Party held the majority in the Iowa State Senate:
| Iowa State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2012 | After the 2012 Election | |
| Democratic Party | 26 | 26 | |
| Republican Party | 24 | 23 | |
| Vacancy | 0 | 1 | |
| Total | 50 | 50 | |
Incumbents retiring
A total of eight incumbents did not run for re-election in 2012. Those incumbents were:
| Name | Party | Current Office |
|---|---|---|
| Gene Fraise |  Democratic |
Senate District 46 |
| James Seymour |  Republican |
Senate District 28 |
| John Kibbie | Democratic |
Senate District 4 |
| Paul McKinley | Republican |
Senate District 36 |
| Robert Bacon | Republican |
Senate District 5 |
| Steve Kettering | Republican |
Senate District 26 |
| Tom Hancock | Democratic |
Senate District 16 |
| Tom Rielly | Democratic |
Senate 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 from Follow The Money.[3]
| Year | Number of candidates | Total contributions |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 55 | $5,058,528 |
| 2008 | 79 | $6,045,502 |
| 2006 | 75 | $7,456,412 |
| 2004 | 74 | $7,217,102 |
| 2002 | 98 | $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]
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| 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
The Iowa 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
June 5 Democratic primary:
- No candidates filed.
June 5 GOP primary:
- Randy Feenstra: 2,774
Incumbent Feenstra first assumed office in 2009.
- Randy Feenstra: 2,774
November 6 General election candidates:
- Randy Feenstra: 26,030
District 4
Note: Incumbent Democrat John Kibbie did not seek re-election.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Bob Jennings: 698
- Bob Jennings: 698
- June 5 GOP primary:
- James E. Black: 2,333
- Dennis Guth: 2,581
November 6 General election candidates:
- Bob Jennings: 14,299
- Dennis Guth: 16,033
District 6
Note: Incumbent Republican Merlin Bartz ran for re-election in District 26.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Mary C. Bruner: 647
- Mary C. Bruner: 647
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Matthew Biede: 352
- Adam Schweers: 1,082
- Mark Segebart: 1,273
November 6 General election candidates:
- Mary C. Bruner: 12,058
- Mark Segebart: 16,023
District 8
note: Incumbent Democrat Mary Jo Wilhelm won re-election in District 26.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Michael E. Gronstal: 612 - Incumbent Gronstal first assumed office in 1985.
- Michael E. Gronstal: 612
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Al Ringgenberg: 1,969
- Al Ringgenberg: 1,969
November 6 General election candidates:
- Michael E. Gronstal: 12,632
- Al Ringgenberg: 10,198
District 10
Note: Incumbent Democrat Jeff Danielson won re-election in District 30.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- No candidates filed.
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Jake Chapman: 1,800
- Matthew T. Mardesen: 949
- Jake Chapman: 1,800
November 6 General election candidates:
- Jake Chapman: 22,594
District 12
Note: Incumbent Democrat Brian Schoenjahn won re-election in District 32.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- No candidates filed.
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Joni K. Ernst: 5,611 - Incumbent Ernst first assumed office in 2011.
- Joni K. Ernst: 5,611
November 6 General election candidates:
- Joni K. Ernst: 22,205
District 14
Note: Incumbent Democrat Pam Jochum won re-election in District 50.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Jason Demichelis: 375
- Dick Schrad: 775
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Steven Everly: 1,116
- Stephanie Jones: 247
- Amy Sinclair: 2,652
November 6 General election candidates:
- Dick Schrad: 11,011
- Amy Sinclair: 17,141
District 16
Note: Incumbent Democrat Tom Hancock did not seek re-election.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Dick L. Dearden: 311 - Incumbent Dearden first assumed office in 1995.
- Dick L. Dearden: 311
- June 5 GOP primary:
- David Scott Edwards: 350
- David Scott Edwards: 350
November 6 General election candidates:
- Dick L. Dearden: 16,065
- David Scott Edwards: 8,469
District 18
Note: Incumbent Democrat Liz Mathis won re-election in District 34.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Janet Petersen: 2,284
- Janet Petersen: 2,284
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Vicki Stogdill: 542
- Vicki Stogdill: 542
November 6 General election candidates:
- Janet Petersen: 18,954
- Vicki Stogdill: 8,455
District 20
Note: Incumbent Republican Tim Kapucian won re-election in District 38.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- No candidates filed.
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Brad Zaun: 1,479 - Incumbent Zaun first assumed office in 2005.
- Brad Zaun: 1,479
November 6 General election candidates:
- Brad Zaun: 24,236
District 22
Note: Incumbent Democrat Steven Sodders won re-election in District 36.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Desmund Adams: 305
- Desmund Adams: 305
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Jeff Mullen: 1,314
- Pat Ward: 1,818 - Incumbent Ward first assumed office in 2005.
November 6 General election candidates:
Due to Pat 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
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Shelly Stotts: 1,019
- Shelly Stotts: 1,019
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Jerry Behn: 2,113 - Incumbent Behn first assumed office in 1997.
- Jerry Behn: 2,113
November 6 General election candidates:
- Shelly Stotts: 14,049
- Jerry Behn: 17,035
District 26
Note: Incumbent Republican Steve Kettering did not seek re-election.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Mary Jo Wilhelm: 1,197 - Incumbent Wilhelm first assumed office in 2009.
- Mary Jo Wilhelm: 1,197
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Merlin Bartz: 2,104 - Incumbent Bartz first assumed office in 2009.
- Merlin Bartz: 2,104
November 6 General election candidates:
- Mary Jo Wilhelm: 15,530
- Merlin Bartz: 15,404
District 28
Note: Incumbent Republican James Seymour did not seek re-election.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- John Beard: 1,021
- John Beard: 1,021
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Michael Breitbach: 3,926
- Michael Breitbach: 3,926
November 6 General election candidates:
- John Beard: 14,833
- Michael Breitbach: 14,867
District 30
Note: Incumbent Republican Pat Ward, who had been running for re-election in District 22, died on October 15, 2012.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Jeff Danielson: 421 - Incumbent Danielson first assumed office in 2006.
- Jeff Danielson: 421
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Matt Reisetter: 1,624
- Matt Reisetter: 1,624
November 6 General election candidates:
- Jeff Danielson: 16,946
- Matt Reisetter: 16,265
District 32
Note: Incumbent Republican Brad Zaun won re-election in District 20.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Brian Schoenjahn: 898 - Incumbent Schoenjahn first assumed office in 2005.
- Brian Schoenjahn: 898
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Elliott Henderson: 2,334
- Elliott Henderson: 2,334
November 6 General election candidates:
- Brian Schoenjahn: 16,338
- Elliott Henderson: 14,346
District 34
Note: Incumbent Democrat Dick Dearden won re-election in District 16.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Liz Mathis: 1,157 - Incumbent Mathis first assumed office in 2011.
- Liz Mathis: 1,157
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Randi Shannon: 1,172
- Randi Shannon: 1,172
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:
- Liz Mathis: 21,178
- Ryan Flood: 13,401
District 36
Note: Incumbent Republican Paul McKinley did not seek re-election.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Steve Sodders: 927 - Incumbent Sodders first assumed office in 2009.
- Steve Sodders: 927
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Jane A. Jech: 1,880
- Larry McKibben: 1,316
- Jane A. Jech: 1,880
November 6 General election candidates:
- Steve Sodders: 15,733
- Jane A. Jech: 13,360
District 38
Note: Incumbent Democrat Tom Rielly did not seek re-election.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Shelley Parbs: 735
- LaForest Sherman: 235
- Nicholas G. Volk: 299
- Shelley Parbs: 735
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Tim Kapucian: 1,799 - Incumbent Kapucian first assumed office in 2009.
- Tim Kapucian: 1,799
November 6 General election candidates:
- Shelley Parbs: 14,137
- Tim Kapucian: 17,124
District 40
Note: Incumbent Republican James Hahn ran for re-election in District 46.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Ken Rozenboom: 2,950
- Ken Rozenboom: 2,950
November 6 General election candidates:
- Tim Tripp: 11,670
- Ken Rozenboom: 17,628
District 42
Note: Incumbent Republican Shawn Hamerlinck ran for re-election in District 46.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Donna Amandus: 1,032
- Bob Morawitz: 423
- Rich Taylor: 1,446
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Lee Harder: 943
- Larry W. Kruse: 2,324
November 6 General election candidates:
- Rich Taylor: 15,058
- Larry W. Kruse: 13,281
Michael Garmoe (Nominated by petition): 1,396
District 44
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Thomas G. Courtney: 1,423 - Incumbent Courtney first assumed office in 2003.
- Thomas G. Courtney: 1,423
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Brad Bourn: 1,202
- Brad Bourn: 1,202
November 6 General election candidates:
- Thomas G. Courtney: 16,125
- Brad Bourn: 12,168
District 46
Note: Incumbent Democrat Gene Fraise did not seek re-election.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Chris Brase: 768
- Chris Brase: 768
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Jim Hahn: 947 - Incumbent Hahn first assumed office in 2005.
- Shawn Hamerlinck: 1,476 - Incumbent Hamerlinck first assumed office in 2009.
November 6 General election candidates:
- Chris Brase: 15,960
- Shawn Hamerlinck: 13,950
District 48
Note: Incumbent Republican Joni Ernst won re-election in District 12.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Nate Willems: 893
- Nate Willems: 893
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Brian W. Cook: 399
- Dan Zumbach: 1,479
November 6 General election candidates:
- Nate Willems: 15,858
- Dan Zumbach: 16,415
District 49
Note: Due to redistricting, the new District 49 is an open seat. Old District 49 incumbent Republican Hubert Houser was moved into District 11 and did not run for re-election in 2012.[8]
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Rita Hart: 1,289
- Dorothy O'Brien: 1,121
- Rita Hart: 1,289
- June 5 GOP primary:
- Andrew Naeve: 1,477
- Andrew Naeve: 1,477
November 6 General election candidates:
- Rita Hart: 17,305
- Andrew Naeve: 14,398
District 50
Note: Incumbent Democrat Michael Gronstal won re-election in District 8.
- June 5 Democratic primary:
- Pam Jochum: 846 - Incumbent Jochum first assumed office in 2009.
- Pam Jochum: 846
- June 5 GOP primary:
- John E. Hulsizer, Jr.: 584
- William Johnson: 745
November 6 General election candidates:
- Pam Jochum: 20,808
- William Johnson: 9,790
External links
- Iowa Secretary of State - Official General Election Results
- Iowa Secretary of State - 2012 Primary Election Candidates
- Iowa Secretary of State - Official Primary Election Results
- Iowa Secretary of State - 2012 General Election Candidates
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ All About Redistricting, "Iowa State Summary," accessed April 8, 2024
- ↑ The Gazette, "Branstad to sign Iowa redistricting plan," accessed April 8, 2024
- ↑ Follow the Money, Iowa
- ↑ Follow the Money: "Iowa Senate 2010 Campaign Contributions"
- ↑ Iowa Constitution
- ↑ Globe Gazette, "Sen. Ward dies; special election set for Dec. 11," October 15, 2012
- ↑ Iowa City Patch, "GOP Candidate Quits Iowa Senate Race to Become Senator of Alternative Government," July 13, 2012
- ↑ John Deeth Blog, "District Of The Day Reboot: Iowa Senate District 11, Iowa House District 21 & 22," accessed March 16, 2012
