# 1988 Iowa Senate election

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The 1988 Iowa State Senate elections took place as part of the biennial 1988 United States elections. Iowa voters elected state senators in half of the state senate's districts—the 25 even-numbered state senate districts. State senators serve four-year terms in the Iowa State Senate, with half of the seats up for election each cycle. A statewide map of the 50 state Senate districts in the year 1988 is provided by the Iowa General Assembly here.
The primary election on June 7, 1988, determined which candidates appeared on the November 8, 1988 general election ballot. Primary election results can be obtained here. General election results can be obtained here.
Following the previous election, Democrats had control of the Iowa state Senate with 30 seats to Republicans' 20 seats.
To take control of the chamber from Democrats, the Republicans needed to net 6 Senate seats.
Democrats retained control of the Iowa State Senate following the 1988 general election with the balance of power unchanged: Democrats holding 30 seats and Republicans having 20 seats after the 1988 election.

## Summary of Results

* NOTE: The 25 odd-numbered districts did not have elections in 1988 so they are not listed here.
| State Senate District | Incumbent | Party | Elected Senator | Party |
| 2nd | Donald V. Doyle | Dem | Donald V. Doyle | Democratic |
| 4th | Richard Vande Hoef | Rep | Richard Vande Hoef | Republican |
| 6th | Lee Warren Holt | Rep | Jack Kibbie | Democratic |
| 8th | Berl Priebe | Dem | Berl Priebe | Democratic |
| 10th | Alvin V. Miller | Dem | Alvin V. Miller | Democratic |
| 12th | Joy Corning | Rep | Joy Corning | Republican |
| 14th | Larry Murphy | Dem | Larry Murphy | Democratic |
| 16th | Dale L. Tieden | Rep | Dale L. Tieden | Republican |
| 18th | Robert M. Carr | Dem | Robert M. Carr | Democratic |
| 20th | Edgar Holden | Rep | Maggie Tinsman | Republican |
| 22nd | Beverly Hannon | Dem | Beverly Hannon | Democratic |
| 24th | Hurley Hall | Dem | Paul Pate | Republican |
| 26th | James D. Wells | Dem | Richard Running | Democratic |
| 28th | Richard F. Drake | Rep | Richard F. Drake | Republican |
| 30th | Charles Peter Miller | Dem | Mark R. Hagerla | Republican |
| 32nd | Forrest Schwengels | Rep | H. Kay Hedge | Republican |
| 34th | John A. Peterson | Dem | John A. Peterson | Democratic |
| 36th | John E. Soorholtz | Rep | John E. Soorholtz | Republican |
| 38th | Emil J. Husak | Dem | Emil J. Husak | Democratic |
| 40th | George Kinley | Dem | George Kinley | Democratic |
| 42nd | David Readinger | Rep | Elaine Szymoniak | Democratic |
| 44th | Jack Nystrom | Rep | Jack Nystrom | Republican |
| 46th | Leonard Boswell | Dem | Leonard Boswell | Democratic |
| 48th | Charles W. Hutchins | Dem | Charles W. Hutchins | Democratic |
| 50th | Michael Gronstal | Dem | Michael Gronstal | Democratic |
Source:

## Detailed Results

* Reminder: Only even-numbered Iowa Senate seats were up for election in 1988; therefore, odd-numbered seats did not have elections in 1988 & are not shown.
* Note: If a district does not list a primary, then that district did not have a competitive primary (i.e., there may have only been one candidate file for that district).

### District 2

Iowa Senate, District 2 Republican Primary Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dick Hallowell | 1,061 | 56.1 |
| | Republican | Lewis E. Heifner | 830 | 43.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,891 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 2 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Donald V. Doyle (incumbent) | 12,806 | 58.6 |
| | Republican | Dick Hallowell | 9,057 | 41.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,863 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 4

Iowa Senate, District 4 Democratic Primary Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dennis D. Tangeman | 724 | 56.4 |
| | Democratic | Glenn P. Wehrkamp | 559 | 43.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,283 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 4 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Richard Vande Hoef (incumbent) | 14,924 | 69.0 |
| | Democratic | Dennis D. Tangeman | 6,717 | 31.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,641 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 6

Iowa Senate, District 6 Republican Primary Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | George P. Moriarty | 2,723 | 71.2 |
| | Republican | Earl D. Squeeg Chapman | 1,099 | 28.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,822 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 6 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jack Kibbie | 12,820 | 55.6 |
| | Republican | George P. Moriarty | 10,236 | 44.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,056 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 8

Iowa Senate, District 8 Democratic Primary Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Berl Priebe (incumbent) | 1,914 | 75.5 |
| | Democratic | Jack Niewald | 621 | 24.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,535 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 8 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Berl Priebe (incumbent) | 15,804 | 68.7 |
| | Republican | David J. Hanson | 7,187 | 31.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,991 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 10

Iowa Senate, District 10 Republican Primary Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jack Knapp | 2,535 | 65.5 |
| | Republican | Craig A. Ouverson | 1,335 | 34.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,870 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 10 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Alvin V. Miller (incumbent) | 13,341 | 52.4 |
| | Republican | Jack Knapp | 12,128 | 47.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,469 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 12

Iowa Senate, District 12 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joy Corning (incumbent) | 12,346 | 52.8 |
| | Democratic | Rose Angel | 11,042 | 47.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,388 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 14

Iowa Senate, District 14 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Larry Murphy (incumbent) | 14,272 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,272 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 16

Iowa Senate, District 16 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dale L. Tieden (incumbent) | 12,911 | 61.0 |
| | Democratic | Phil Specht | 8,240 | 39.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,151 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 18

Iowa Senate, District 18 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bob Carr (incumbent) | 14,734 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,734 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 20

Iowa Senate, District 20 Republican Primary Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Maggie Tinsman | 2,829 | 57.0 |
| | Republican | Edgar Holden (incumbent) | 2,131 | 43.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,960 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 20 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Maggie Tinsman | 19,505 | 76.1 |
| | Democratic | Gary P. Genazzio | 6,124 | 23.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,629 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 22

Iowa Senate, District 22 Democratic Primary Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Beverly Hannon (incumbent) | 1,934 | 85.5 |
| | Democratic | Katherine "Kitty" Ortgies | 327 | 14.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,261 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 22 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Beverly Hannon (incumbent) | 12,978 | 54.3 |
| | Republican | Hurley Hall (incumbent) | 10,939 | 45.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,917 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 24

Iowa Senate, District 24 Republican Primary Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Paul Pate | 1,167 | 59.1 |
| | Republican | Chris Keleher | 808 | 40.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,975 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 24 Democratic Primary Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ralph J. Kremer | 986 | 49.3 |
| | Democratic | Myron B. Oxley | 700 | 35.0 |
| | Democratic | Raymond E. Franklin | 314 | 15.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,000 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 24 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Paul Pate | 12,640 | 51.3 |
| | Democratic | Ralph J. Kremer | 11,980 | 48.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,620 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 26

Iowa Senate, District 26 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Richard V. Running | 15,300 | 58.6 |
| | Republican | Evan R. Hughes | 10,824 | 41.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,124 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 28

Iowa Senate, District 28 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Richard F. Drake (incumbent) | 12,805 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,805 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 30

Iowa Senate, District 30 Republican Primary Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mark R. Hagerla | 2,310 | 59.9 |
| | Republican | William R. Ruther | 1,547 | 40.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,857 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 30 Democratic Primary Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Clyde L. Norrgard | 2,091 | 51.7 |
| | Democratic | Robert E. Summers | 1,950 | 48.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,041 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 30 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mark R. Hagerla | 12,497 | 52.7 |
| | Democratic | Clyde L. Norrgard | 11,214 | 47.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,711 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 32

Iowa Senate, District 32 Republican Primary Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | H. Kay Hedge | 2,788 | 78.1 |
| | Republican | Raymond T. Plowman | 784 | 21.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,572 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 32 Democratic Primary Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Craig Downing | 1,387 | 77.7 |
| | Democratic | Larry Heimstra | 399 | 22.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,786 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 32 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | H. Kay Hedge | 13,343 | 57.4 |
| | Democratic | Craig Downing | 9,885 | 42.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,228 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 34

Iowa Senate, District 34 Democratic Primary Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John A. Peterson (incumbent) | 1,821 | 55.7 |
| | Democratic | Ruth Hardin | 1,446 | 44.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,267 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 34 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John A. Peterson (incumbent) | 13,729 | 58.2 |
| | Republican | John C. Rhodes | 9,875 | 41.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,604 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 36

Iowa Senate, District 36 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John E. Soorholtz (incumbent) | 13,169 | 53.9 |
| | Democratic | Bert Permar | 11,283 | 46.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,452 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 38

Iowa Senate, District 38 Republican Primary Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Burtwin L. Day | 1,149 | 57.4 |
| | Republican | Galen Delfs | 853 | 42.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,002 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 38 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Emil J. Husak (incumbent) | 13,978 | 60.8 |
| | Republican | Burtwin L. Day | 8,995 | 39.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,973 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 40

Iowa Senate, District 40 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | George Kinley (incumbent) | 16,712 | 74.8 |
| | Republican | Virginia Johnston | 5,636 | 25.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,348 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 42

Iowa Senate, District 42 Republican Primary Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | David Readinger (incumbent) | 1,030 | 53.1 |
| | Republican | Gene Maddox | 909 | 46.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,939 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 42 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Elaine Szymoniak | 17,310 | 51.8 |
| | Republican | David Readinger (incumbent) | 16,088 | 48.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 33,398 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 44

Iowa Senate, District 44 Democratic Primary Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Steven G. Lingren | 2,166 | 66.8 |
| | Democratic | Greg W. Steensland | 1,075 | 33.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,241 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 44 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jack Nystrom (incumbent) | 12,804 | 53.5 |
| | Democratic | Steven G. Lingren | 11,148 | 46.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,952 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 46

Iowa Senate, District 46 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Leonard Boswell (incumbent) | 15,215 | 64.7 |
| | Republican | Gene Smith | 8,296 | 35.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,511 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 48

Iowa Senate, District 48 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bill Hutchins (incumbent) | 13,810 | 70.4 |
| | Republican | Jim Rosman-Bakehouse | 5,807 | 29.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 19,617 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 50

Iowa Senate, District 50 General Election, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Michael Gronstal (incumbent) | 11,200 | 58.9 |
| | Republican | Arminda S. Hartman | 7,807 | 41.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 19,007 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
* 1 2 Sen. Hall switched parties from Democratic to Republican and ran against Sen. Hannon in District 22 in the 1988 general election.