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Zach Wahls
2023 - Present
2027
2
Zach Wahls (Democratic Party) is a member of the Iowa State Senate, representing District 43. He assumed office on January 3, 2023. His current term ends on January 2, 2027.
Wahls (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Iowa. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]
Wahls was elected Senate Democratic leader for the 2020-2021 session.[1] He was replaced by Pam Jochum on June 7, 2023. [2]
Biography
Zach Wahls was born in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Wahls graduated from Iowa City West High School.[3] He earned a bachelor's degree in sustainability studies from the University of Iowa in 2014 and a master's degree in public affairs from Princeton University in 2018. Wahls' career experience includes co-founding Wahls Enterprises LLC and working as the vice president for community investment and development with GreenState Credit Union.[3][4]
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023-2024
Wahls was assigned to the following committees:
- Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
- Rules and Administration Committee, Ranking Member
- Rules and Administration Committee
- Legislative Council
- Service Committee
- Studies Committee
2021-2022
Wahls was assigned to the following committees:
- Senate Agriculture Committee
- Senate Commerce Committee
- Rules and Administration Committee, Ranking member
2019-2020
Wahls was assigned to the following committees:
- Senate Agriculture Committee
- Senate Appropriations Committee
- Senate Education Committee
- Senate Ways and Means Committee
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2026
See also: United States Senate election in Iowa, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for U.S. Senate Iowa
The following candidates are running in the general election for U.S. Senate Iowa on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Chris Henry (D) | ||
 | Nathan Sage (D) | |
 | Josh Turek (D) | |
 | Zach Wahls (D) | |
 | John Berman (R) | |
 | Jim Carlin (R) | |
 | Ashley Hinson (R) | |
 | Joshua Smith (R) | |
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Joni Ernst (R)
- J.D. Scholten (D)
- Jackie Norris (D)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2022
See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Iowa State Senate District 43
Incumbent Zach Wahls won election in the general election for Iowa State Senate District 43 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Zach Wahls (D) | 97.5 | 21,146 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 2.5 | 552 | ||
| Total votes: 21,698 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Iowa State Senate District 43
Incumbent Zach Wahls advanced from the Democratic primary for Iowa State Senate District 43 on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Zach Wahls | 99.7 | 5,409 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 18 | ||
| Total votes: 5,427 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
- See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2018
General election
General election for Iowa State Senate District 37
Zach Wahls defeated Carl Krambeck in the general election for Iowa State Senate District 37 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Zach Wahls (D) | 78.0 | 20,321 |
 | Carl Krambeck (L) | 21.4 | 5,566 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.6 | 158 | ||
| Total votes: 26,045 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Iowa State Senate District 37
Zach Wahls defeated Janice Weiner, Eric Dirth, and Imad Youssif in the Democratic primary for Iowa State Senate District 37 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Zach Wahls | 59.7 | 3,902 |
 | Janice Weiner | 34.9 | 2,281 | |
| Eric Dirth | 2.9 | 189 | ||
| Imad Youssif | 2.6 | 169 | ||
| Total votes: 6,541 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Libertarian primary election
Libertarian primary for Iowa State Senate District 37
Carl Krambeck advanced from the Libertarian primary for Iowa State Senate District 37 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Carl Krambeck | 100.0 | 38 |
| Total votes: 38 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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2022
Zach Wahls did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Zach Wahls completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Wahls' responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
After knocking thousands of doors, I can say the three top issues facing Iowans are health care, education, and our economy. Health care: reverse Medicaid privatization, reform our mental health system, and fix our individual market. Education: fully fund K12 and reverse the $100M+ cuts to our Regents' schools. Economy: raise wages, slow the rising cost of living, and reinstate workers' rights.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I'm especially passionate about health care policy. My mother Terry was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when I was only eight years old. I experienced firsthand the challenges of a family dealing with a chronic autoimmune disease and how that was made more difficult by the fact that I had lesbian parents. Doctors treated families like mine differently. As a result of my personal experience, I am focused on bringing a compassionate, clear-eyed perspective to addressing the health care challenges facing Iowa.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
Senator Tom Harkin -- Iowa's longtime Democratic U.S. Senator -- is a hero and mentor of mine. He authored the Americans with Disabilities Act, which wound up playing a pivotal role in my life when my mother Terry found herself in a wheelchair because of her MS. Senator Harkin was an unrelenting champion for the underserved, disabled, underprivileged, and anyone who needed help. He's my role model for public service.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
I'm in the somewhat unusual position of having written a book at a young age ? "My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength, and What Makes a Family" -- which would probably be a good place to start. Politically, I align closely with President Barack Obama, so his book "Audacity of Hope" would also provide good insight to my values and worldview. I've also got an awful lot of information on my website -- www.zachwahlsforiowa.com -- discussing how I think about policy. (And I wrote it all myself, which I understand is relatively rare!)
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
I'm a first-time candidate, so you should probably check back after I've become an elected official! From a citizen's point of view, I really want elected officials who are dedicated to solving problems. That will involve a willingness to do the work, the work across the aisle if necessary, and to understand and think creatively about complex problems. We need people in government who are committed to making government work for the many, not the few.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
There are two key aspects: my values and my experience. When it comes to my values, I do my best to bring the values I learned in the Boy Scouts growing up to everything I do. I don't always succeed, but I always know which direction my moral compass is pointing. I love learning, almost regardless of the subject, and understanding how things work, which is really important for legislators. For my experience, I'm someone who learned at an early age, growing up with lesbian parents, what it feels like to be different and excluded and targeted because of the kind of family you're a part of. We need politicians who understand why it's important to bring people together instead of pushing them apart. I've also been a successful advocate for LGBTQ rights at both the state and federal levels, and I learned a lot about campaigning, leading, and working together to get things done.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Our politics are currently in a difficult place right now — we can all agree on that, regardless of your party. A lot of people feel frustrated or angry or scared or all three. So I think it's critical that we have elected officials who approach this responsibility with compassion, and an understand that we may not see everything eye-to-eye, but that we don't have to mean about it or bully people about it. And I believe it's my responsibility to make sure that the people of Senate District 37 know that I will fight for you no matter who you are, what your family looks like, or where you come from. I will always listen to you no matter what.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I'm only twenty-seven so I don't spend a lot of time thinking about legacy. Generally speaking, I am very interested in figuring out how we start restoring trust in government. Today, only 18% of Americans trust our government to do the right thing most of the time. That's down from 73% in 1958. We've got to do better.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
I remember the 2000 presidential election pretty clearly and being confused about how a person who received fewer votes than the other person could win. I was nine years old at the time. I would never have guessed that it would happen again only sixteen years later.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My mother Terry told me at an early age that if I wanted extra spending money, I'd have to work for it. So when I was ten or eleven, I recruited my best friend to launch J&W Home Care (the first letters of our last names) a full-service home services company. We started off helping people with chores around the house and as we got older, we did thing like snow blowing and lawn mowing. When we got to high school, we also spent time working as lifeguards at the local pool during the summers. I'm still a small business owner today, although now I work in partnership with my sister to design, manufacture, and sell premium playing cards.
What happened on your most awkward date?
This is a true story. January 2011, I messaged a girl on okCupid. A few weeks later, after a video of my speech to the Iowa Legislature about growing up with lesbian parents went viral, I heard back. She was interested in meeting up, but she was overseas. We stayed in touch here and there while she was abroad. She got back in the summer. We tried to connect but missed each other a few times. One night, she messages me on FB to ask if I'm working. I was free. She was too, but she was just hanging out at her parents' house. So our first date - and our first time actually meeting in person - wound up just being hanging out with her family at her parents' house. Which was fine - she has an awesome family - but it was definitely awkward as all get out.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Independence Day is probably my favorite. I really enjoy fireworks, I love grilling out, and spending time with friends. Coralville, the largest city in my district, also has "Fourth Fest" which is a big festival celebrating Independence Day. It's a ton of fun.
What is your favorite book? Why?
My favorite fiction book is Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. KVJ was just an exceptional storyteller and had this incredible way of making an incredibly complex plot seem so approachable and easy to read. I re-read it every other year or so, and every time I read it again, I find new things I appreciate about it. My favorite non-fiction book is The Big Short by Michael Lewis. The global financial crisis of 2007-2008 was unfolding while I was in high school taking AP Economics, so I've always been morbidly fascinated with it. The Big Short helped me understand several layers of complexity I couldn't grasp when I was younger. It's funny, it's bleak, and it provides a powerful insight into a crisis that has influenced politics around the world the last ten years and will continue to do so for at least another ten.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Someone who could fly. I wanted to be a pilot when I was younger, and to this day, I always try to get a window seat -- despite being 6'5" -- because I love those first few moments during takeoff when you leave the runway and then poke up over the clouds.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My girlfriend and I just purchased a new couch that she had been wanting to buy for months. It's blue, velvet, and the exact right blend of firm and cushy. Second favorite thing is probably our bookcases, which house a large collection of our favorite books.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
The theme song of "Space Jam" from the movie. I think it's by Quad City DJs.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
When my mom Terry was diagnosed with MS, I was only eight years old. I didn't really understand what her diagnosis meant. The only thing I understood was that she was getting weaker and weaker, and the person who had been my Superwoman growing up was in a wheelchair. It was scary. I had to grow up in a hurry to help take care of her and to assume a lot more responsibility around the house. And the whole time, my mom never let me forget that we were the lucky ones because she had world-class health insurance and was able to access the best treatment money could buy without any trouble. Today, she's doing much, much better, which is incredible. But I'll never forget what life was like at those darkest moments.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
Good question. As a first-time candidate, I'm not really sure yet!
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
It really depends on the kind of experience. Senator Bob Dvorsky, who I am hoping to succeed had a distinguished 32-year career in the state legislature, making deals and serving the people of his district. Not everybody does as good of a job. He's definitely one of my role models.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Addressing our state's water quality is going to be a huge issue, as it affects just about everyone in our state. We've taken some steps in the right direction, but we have to do a lot more. Over the next several decades, the big question is how does our state ? historically, a rural state ? grow in a sustainable way that balances urbanization with our rural heritage. Many of our counties are experiencing depopulation, which could have a devastating long term impact if we can't get our state growing the right way.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
They have to be partners in serving the people. There has to be a lot of communication, a lot of mutual respect and trust. And there has to be a shared vision for the future of our state that transcends partisan lines. What kind of people do we want to be? What role does government play in that? These are big questions, and if the legislature and governor disagree, it's going to be hard to work together.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
My understanding is that relationship-building among legislators is incredibly important, especially because many of the bills that are passed have little to do with partisan affiliation and everything to do with solving public problems. On some of the more partisan issues, though, relationships are only going to do so much. More than anything else, I think we have to change the tone of our politics. I'm not sure if relationships among legislators is the way that changes, though.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
Iowa's independent commission for drawing districts seems to be working quite well for us so far.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
I'm hoping to serve on Human Services, Government Oversight, Appropriations, and Agriculture, and maybe on Education as well, depending on how many committees I can join.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
Maybe. I don't know a lot about the role of leadership just yet. But it's definitely something I am open to if I think it can help make a difference for the people of my district.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
I already mentioned Senator Tom Harkin, so I'll say a little bit more about Senator Bob Dvorsky, whose open seat I am currently running for. "Senator Bob" as everyone calls him here is a longtime public servant, who served in many different roles over the years. People always respect his willingness to listen to the other side, to make a deal where necessary, and to put the people of his district before politics. That's a strong example I am hoping to follow. He and his wife Sue, who is a political force in her own right, are both on speed dial, and I expect to be speaking with them frequently during the legislative session.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
I may be, depending on where things are in my personal life and where things are in my state. At this point, though, I am focused squarely on trying to be the best state senator I can possibly be. I've always taken the approach of doing the best I can at the task at hand. The future takes care of itself.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
There are three women in my district who started a program for young people who, like their children, have intellectual disabilities. The Village Community, their program, received a modest amount of funding from the state of Iowa, but they mostly made the program run by volunteering their time, their energy, and their sheer force of will. They managed to deliver one of the highest quality day habilitation programs for people with intellectual disabilities I have ever seen. And then, when our state privatized our Medicaid system, they were slapped with a 53% budget cut, and they had only eighteen days notice. They have managed to keep the doors open, but they are hanging by a thread. We need politicians who care about families like theirs. When I am putting in long days, I often stop to think about "The Village Moms" and how hard they are working for their children and children like them in our community. They are an inspiration to me, and their story is a powerful example of why it is so important to have elected officials who are committed to representing every single one of their constituents, not just the wealthy and powerful.
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Campaign finance summary
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Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
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Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Iowa scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
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In 2024, the Iowa State Legislature was in session from January 8 to April 20.
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2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Iowa State Legislature was in session from January 9 to May 4.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Iowa State Legislature was in session from January 10 to May 24.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Iowa State Legislature was in session from January 11 to May 19.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Iowa State Legislature was in session from January 13 to June 14. The session was suspended from March 16 through June 3.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Iowa State Legislature was in session from January 14 through April 27.
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See also
2026 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. Senate Iowa |
Officeholder Iowa State Senate District 43 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Des Moines Register, "Zach Wahls to replace Janet Petersen as Iowa Senate Democrats' leader," November 15, 2020
- ↑ ‘'Iowa Public Radio, “Iowa Senate Democrats choose Pam Jochum as their new leader," June 8, 2023
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Iowa Legislature, "Zach Wahls - All Years," accessed May 17, 2023
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Zach Wahls," accessed May 17, 2023
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Iowa State Senate District 43 2023-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Iowa State Senate District 37 2019-2023 |
Succeeded by - |
