In a Trump +21 District, DLCC Spotlight candidate Mike Zimmer Wins with Comfortable 51.8% of the Vote
WASHINGTON — Tonight, DLCC Spotlight Candidate Mike Zimmer pulled off an upset victory in Iowa Senate District 35, winning a district that Donald Trump carried by 21 points last November. This victory is the first state legislative flip of the cycle and a significant victory for Democrats in the first month of the new year. This news comes alongside another victory for Democrats in a majority-defending special election in Minnesota earlier this evening.
There are no off-years in state legislative elections – there are already more than two dozen additional special elections scheduled or expected in the months ahead, including majority-deciding special elections in two states: Minnesota and Pennsylvania.
State legislatures are on the frontlines of serving as the legislative firewall against the Trump administration and housing Democratic leadership, which is why these special election wins are so consequential. Building durable Democratic power in the states is critical in the months and years ahead to protect core rights and counter MAGA extremism.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“This earthquake victory in Iowa puts Republicans across the country on notice. In a ruby red district that Trump won by 21 points, DLCC candidate Mike Zimmer clinched a comfortable win against his extreme MAGA opponent. Tonight’s win marks the first flip of the cycle and builds on key majority-making wins in Virginia earlier this month. The DLCC is starting the new cycle strong just a month into 2025 – from battlegrounds to Republican territory. We have dozens more special elections on the horizon – we’re only just getting started.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures and building state infrastructure. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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