# 2018 Iowa Senate election

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The 2018 Iowa State Senate elections took place as part of the biennial 2018 United States elections. Iowa voters elected state senators in half of the state senate's districts—the 25 odd-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.
The primary election on June 5, 2018, determined which candidates appeared on the November 6, 2018 general election ballot. Primary election results can be obtained here.
Following the previous 2016 Iowa Senate election, Republicans flipped control of the Iowa State Senate, taking control away from the Democrats.
To reclaim control of the chamber from Republicans, the Democrats needed to net six Senate seats.
Republicans expanded their control of the Iowa State Senate following the 2018 general election, increasing their majority from 29 to 32 seats. Democrats saw their numbers dwindle from 20 to 18 seats. The lone Independent member of the IA state Senate was replaced by a Republican as well.

## Summary of results

* NOTE: Only odd-numbered Iowa Senate seats were up for election in 2018, so even-numbered seats are not included here.
| State Senate district | Incumbent | Party | Elected Senator | Party |
| 1st | David Johnson | Ind | Zach Whiting | Republican |
| 3rd | Jim Carlin | Rep | Jim Carlin | Republican |
| 5th | Tim Kraayenbrink | Rep | Tim Kraayenbrink | Republican |
| 7th | Rick Bertrand | Rep | Jackie Smith | Democratic |
| 9th | Jason Schultz | Rep | Jason Schultz | Republican |
| 11th | Tom Shipley | Rep | Tom Shipley | Republican |
| 13th | Julian Garrett | Rep | Julian Garrett | Republican |
| 15th | Chaz Allen | Dem | Zach Nunn | Republican |
| 17th | Tony Bisignano | Dem | Tony Bisignano | Democratic |
| 19th | Jack Whitver | Rep | Jack Whitver | Republican |
| 21st | Matt McCoy | Dem | Claire Celsi | Democratic |
| 23rd | Herman Quirmbach | Dem | Herman Quirmbach | Democratic |
| 25th | Annette Sweeney | Rep | Annette Sweeney | Republican |
| 27th | Amanda Ragan | Dem | Amanda Ragan | Democratic |
| 29th | Tod Bowman | Dem | Carrie Koelker | Republican |
| 31st | William Dotzler | Dem | William Dotzler | Democratic |
| 33rd | Rob Hogg | Dem | Rob Hogg | Democratic |
| 35th | Wally Horn | Dem | Todd Taylor | Democratic |
| 37th | Robert Dvorsky | Dem | Zach Wahls | Democratic |
| 39th | Kevin Kinney | Dem | Kevin Kinney | Democratic |
| 41st | Mark Chelgren | Rep | Mariannette Miller-Meeks | Republican |
| 43rd | Joe Bolkcom | Dem | Joe Bolkcom | Democratic |
| 45th | Jim Lykam | Dem | Jim Lykam | Democratic |
| 47th | Roby Smith | Rep | Roby Smith | Republican |
| 49th | Rita Hart | Dem | Chris Cournoyer | Republican |
Source:

### Closest races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
* State Senate district 27, 2%
* State Senate district 7, 2.6% gain
* State Senate district 19, 2.8%
* State Senate district 41, 3.6%
* State Senate district 47, 5.6%
* State Senate district 29, 7.2% gain
* State Senate district 39, 9%
* State Senate district 49, 9.8% gain

## Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| Governing | Safe R | October 8, 2018 |

## Detailed results

* Reminder: Only odd-numbered Iowa Senate seats were up for election in 2018, so even-numbered seats are not included here.
* 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 1

Iowa Senate, District 1 Republican primary, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Zach Whiting | 3,539 | 62.4 |
| | Republican | Brad D. Price | 1,288 | 22.7 |
| | Republican | Jesse Wolfe | 844 | 14.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,671 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 1 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Zach Whiting | 21,245 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,245 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Independent | Republican gain from Independent | Republican gain from Independent | Republican gain from Independent |

### District 3

Iowa Senate, District 3 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jim Carlin (incumbent) | 16,366 | 64.8 |
| | Democratic | Dave Dawson | 8,884 | 35.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,250 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 5

Iowa Senate, District 5 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tim Kraayenbrink (incumbent) | 14,571 | 62.0 |
| | Democratic | John J. O'Brien | 8,935 | 38.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,506 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 7

Iowa Senate, District 7 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jackie Smith | 9,125 | 51.3 |
| | Republican | Rick Bertrand (incumbent) | 8,676 | 48.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 17,801 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 9

Iowa Senate, District 9 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jason Schultz (incumbent) | 18,533 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 18,533 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 11

Iowa Senate, District 11 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tom Shipley (incumbent) | 18,007 | 67.2 |
| | Democratic | Sara Ramsey | 8,770 | 32.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,777 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 13

Iowa Senate, District 13 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Julian Garrett (incumbent) | 17,199 | 55.9 |
| | Democratic | Vicky Brenner | 13,558 | 44.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,757 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 15

Iowa Senate, District 15 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Zach Nunn | 16,988 | 57.0 |
| | Democratic | Dan Nieland | 12,830 | 43.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,818 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 17

Iowa Senate, District 17 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Tony Bisignano (incumbent) | 17,808 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 17,808 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 19

Iowa Senate, District 19 Republican primary, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jack Whitver (incumbent) | 1,369 | 80.8 |
| | Republican | Brett H. Nelson | 326 | 19.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,695 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 19 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jack Whitver (incumbent) | 18,598 | 51.4 |
| | Democratic | Amber Gustafson | 17,608 | 48.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 36,206 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 21

Iowa Senate, District 21 Democratic primary, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Claire Celsi | 5,287 | 58.1 |
| | Democratic | Connie Ryan | 3,818 | 41.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,105 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 21 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Claire Celsi | 20,499 | 66.1 |
| | Republican | Brian B. Bales | 10,511 | 33.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,010 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 23

Iowa Senate, District 23 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Herman C. Quirmbach (incumbent) | 19,020 | 75.2 |
| | Libertarian | Eric Cooper | 6,273 | 24.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,293 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 25

Iowa Senate, District 25 Republican primary, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Annette Sweeney (incumbent) | 2,731 | 82.8 |
| | Republican | Chad J. Buss | 566 | 17.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,297 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 25 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Annette Sweeney (incumbent) | 16,621 | 61.6 |
| | Democratic | Tracy Freese | 10,345 | 38.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,966 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 27

Iowa Senate, District 27 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Amanda Ragan (incumbent) | 12,823 | 51.0 |
| | Republican | Shannon Latham | 12,322 | 49.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,145 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 29

Iowa Senate, District 29 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Carrie Koelker | 15,493 | 53.6 |
| | Democratic | Tod R. Bowman (incumbent) | 13,437 | 46.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,930 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 31

Iowa Senate, District 31 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bill Dotzler (incumbent) | 14,573 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,573 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 33

Iowa Senate, District 33 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert M. Hogg (incumbent) | 17,912 | 65.6 |
| | Republican | Edward Bernie Hayes | 9,407 | 34.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 27,319 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 35

Iowa Senate, District 35 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Todd Taylor | 19,875 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 19,875 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 37

Iowa Senate, District 37 Democratic primary, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Zach Wahls | 3,902 | 59.6 |
| | Democratic | Janice Weiner | 2,281 | 34.9 |
| | Democratic | Eric Dirth | 189 | 2.9 |
| | Democratic | Imad Youssif | 169 | 2.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,541 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 37 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Zach Wahls | 20,321 | 78.5 |
| | Libertarian | Carl A. Krambeck | 5,566 | 21.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,887 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 39

Iowa Senate, District 39 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Kevin Kinney (incumbent) | 15,758 | 54.5 |
| | Republican | Heather Hora | 13,130 | 45.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,888 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 41

Iowa Senate, District 41 Republican primary, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mariannette Miller-Meeks | 1,706 | 85.9 |
| | Republican | Daniel Cesar | 279 | 14.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,985 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 41 Democratic primary, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mary S. Stewart | 2,916 | 58.4 |
| | Democratic | Ed Malloy | 2,076 | 41.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,992 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 41 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mariannette Miller-Meeks | 11,460 | 51.8 |
| | Democratic | Mary S. Stewart | 10,652 | 48.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,112 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 43

Iowa Senate, District 43 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Joe Bolkcom (incumbent) | 23,790 | 79.6 |
| | Republican | Patrick Joseph Wronkiewicz | 6,107 | 20.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,897 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 45

Iowa Senate, District 45 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jim Lykam (incumbent) | 14,629 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,629 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 47

Iowa Senate, District 47 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Roby Smith (incumbent) | 16,125 | 52.8 |
| | Democratic | Marie Gleason | 14,418 | 47.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,543 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 49

Iowa Senate, District 49 general election, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chris Cournoyer | 13,305 | 54.9 |
| | Democratic | Patti Robinson | 10,916 | 45.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,221 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |
Source: