# 2025 Iowa Senate District 35 special election

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A special election was held in the U.S. state of Iowa on January 28, 2025 to elect a new member for District 35 in the Iowa Senate, representing the counties of Clinton, Jackson, and Scott. The election filled a vacancy caused by the appointment of Republican member Chris Cournoyer to the office of lieutenant governor in December 2024. Democrat Mike Zimmer achieved an upset victory, flipping a district won by Republican nominee Donald Trump by 21 points in the 2024 presidential election.

## Background

Incumbent Republican senator Chris Cournoyer was re-elected state senator in 2022 with 60.0 percent of the vote. She vacated the seat being appointed lieutenant governor in December 2024.

## Candidates

The following candidates were certified for the ballot:
* Katie Whittington, administrative assistant (Republican)
* Mike Zimmer, president of the Central DeWitt School Board (Democratic)
Voters also had the option to write in candidates.

## Results

2025 Iowa Senate District 35 special election (unofficial results) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Mike Zimmer | 4,812 | 51.71% | +12.75 |
| | Republican | Katie Whittington | 4,474 | 48.08% | –11.68 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 19 | 0.20% | +0.16 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,305 | 100.00% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |