# 2012 Iowa Senate election

Elections in Iowa :
Federal government
U.S. Presidential elections
1848
1852
1856
1860
1864
1868
1872
1876
1880
1884
1888
1892
1896
1900
1904
1908
1912
1916
1920
1924
1928
1932
1936
1940
1944
1948
1952
1956
1960
1964
1968
1972
1976
1980
1984
1988
1992
1996
2000
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
Presidential caucuses
Democratic
1976
1980
1984
1992
2000
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
Republican
1980
1996
2000
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
U.S. Senate elections
1848
1849
1852
1855
1857 sp
1858
1860
1864
1866
1866 sp
1870
1870 sp
1872
1878
1882
1882 sp
1884
1888
1890
1894
1896
1900
1902
1902 sp
1907
1908
1908 sp
1909
1911 sp
1913
1914
1918
1920
1922 sp
1924
1926
1926 sp
1930
1932
1936
1936 sp
1938
1942
1944
1948
1950
1954
1956
1960
1962
1966
1968
1972
1974
1978
1980
1984
1986
1990
1992
1996
1998
2002
2004
2008
2010
2014
2016
2020
2022
2026
2028
U.S. House of Representatives elections
1846
1847
1848
1850
1st sp
1852
1854
1856
1858
1860
1861
1st sp
1862
1864
1866
1868
1870
2nd sp
1872
1874
1876
1878
1879
5th sp
1880
1882
1883
6th sp
1884
7th sp
1886
1888
1890
7th sp
1892
1894
1896
1898
1900
10th sp
1902
1904
1906
1908
1910
1911
9th sp
1912
11th sp
1914
2nd sp
1916
1918
1920
1921
5th sp
1922
1923
8th sp
1924
1926
1928
9th sp
1930
1932
1934
1936
1938
1940
6th sp
1942
9th sp
1944
1946
1948
1950
1952
1954
1956
1958
1959
4th sp
1960
1962
1964
1966
1968
1970
1972
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024 :
State government
General elections
2009
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
2026
Gubernatorial elections
1846
1850
1854
1857
1859
1861
1863
1865
1867
1869
1871
1873
1875
1877
1879
1881
1883
1885
1887
1889
1891
1893
1895
1897
1899
1901
1903
1906
1908
1910
1912
1914
1916
1918
1920
1922
1924
1926
1928
1930
1932
1934
1936
1938
1940
1942
1944
1946
1948
1950
1952
1954
1956
1958
1960
1962
1964
1966
1968
1970
1972
1974
1978
1982
1986
1990
1994
1998
2002
2006
2010
2014
2018
2022
2026
Secretary of State elections
2022
Attorney General elections
2014
2018
2022
Senate elections
1846
1848
1850
1852
1854
1856
1857
1859
1861
1863
1865
1867
1869
1871
1873
1875
1877
1879
1881
1883
1885
1887
1889
1891
1893
1895
1897
1899
1901
1903
1906
1908
1910
1912
1914
1916
1918
1920
1922
1924
1926
1928
1930
1932
1934
1936
1938
1940
1942
1944
1946
1948
1950
1952
1954
1956
1958
1960
1962
1964
1966
1968
1970
1972
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
Special elections
House of Representatives elections
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
Territorial Council elections
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
1844
1845 :
Ballot measures
2020
Question 1
2022
Amendment 1 :
Cedar Rapids
Mayoral elections
2021
2025 :
Des Moines
Mayoral elections
1997 sp
1999
2003
2007
2011
2015
2019
2023 :
vte :
The 2012 Iowa State Senate elections took place as part of the biennial 2012 United States elections. Iowa voters elected state senators in 26 of the state senate's 50 districts—the 25 even-numbered state senate districts and the 49th district. State senators serve four-year terms in the Iowa State Senate, with half of the seats up for election each cycle. This was the first election cycle following the 2010 census and 2011 redistricting process.
As a result of redistricting, many state senators were redrawn into new seats. This explains some incumbents being reelected, but into districts with new numbers following the redistricting process.
The primary election on June 5, 2012, determined which candidates appeared on the November 6, 2012 general election ballot. Primary election results can be obtained here.
Following the previous 2010 Iowa Senate election, Democrats maintained control of the Iowa state Senate with 26 seats.
To reclaim control of the chamber from Democrats, the Republicans needed to net 2 Senate seats.
Democrats kept control of the Iowa State Senate following the 2012 general election as the chamber's partisan composition remained unchanged with 26 Democrats to 24 Republicans.
State Senator Pat Ward was running in district 22 when she died on October 15, 2012, less than a month before the general election. A special election on Dec. 11, 2012 saw her seat retained by the Republicans.

## Summary of Results

* NOTE: Only even-numbered Iowa Senate seats were up for regularly-scheduled election in 2012, so most of the odd-numbered seats are not included here. District 49 had a special election to fill a vacancy created by Senator Bacon's resignation.
* Also note, an asterisk (*) after a senator's name indicates they were an incumbent re-elected, but to a new district number due to redistricting.
| State Senate District | Incumbent | Party | Elected Senator | Party |
| 2nd | Randy Feenstra | Rep | Randy Feenstra | Republican |
| 4th | Jack Kibbie | Dem | Dennis Guth | Republican |
| 6th | Merlin Bartz | Rep | Mark Segebart | Republican |
| 8th | Mary Jo Wilhelm | Dem | Michael E. Gronstal* | Democratic |
| 10th | Jeff Danielson | Dem | Jake Chapman | Republican |
| 12th | Brian Schoenjahn | Dem | Joni Ernst* | Republican |
| 14th | Pam Jochum | Dem | Amy Sinclair | Republican |
| 16th | Tom Hancock | Dem | Dick Dearden* | Democratic |
| 18th | Liz Mathis | Dem | Janet Petersen | Democratic |
| 20th | Tim Kapucian | Rep | Brad Zaun* | Republican |
| 22nd | Steve Sodders | Dem | Charles Schneider | Republican |
| 24th | Jerry Behn | Rep | Jerry Behn | Republican |
| 26th | Steve Kettering | Rep | Mary Jo Wilhelm* | Democratic |
| 28th | James A. Seymour | Rep | Michael Breitbach | Republican |
| 30th | Pat Ward | Rep | Jeff Danielson* | Democratic |
| 32nd | Brad Zaun | Rep | Brian Schoenjahn* | Democratic |
| 34th | Dick Dearden | Dem | Liz Mathis* | Democratic |
| 36th | Paul McKinley | Rep | Steve Sodders* | Democratic |
| 38th | Tom Rielly | Dem | Tim Kapucian* | Republican |
| 40th | James F. Hahn | Rep | Ken Rozenboom | Republican |
| 42nd | Shawn Hamerlinck | Rep | Rich Taylor | Democratic |
| 44th | Thomas G. Courtney | Dem | Thomas G. Courtney | Democratic |
| 46th | Gene Fraise | Dem | Chris Brase | Democratic |
| 48th | Joni Ernst | Rep | Dan Zumbach | Republican |
| 49th | Hubert Houser | Rep | Rita Hart | Democratic |
| 50th | Michael Gronstal | Dem | Pam Jochum* | Democratic |
Source:

## Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| Governing | Tossup | October 24, 2012 |

## Detailed Results

* 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 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Randy Feenstra (incumbent) | 26,030 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,030 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 4

Iowa Senate, District 4 Republican Primary, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dennis Guth | 2,581 | 52.5 |
| | Republican | James E. Black | 2,333 | 47.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,914 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 4 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dennis Guth | 16,033 | 52.9 |
| | Democratic | Bob Jennings | 14,299 | 47.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,332 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 6

Iowa Senate, District 6 Republican Primary, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mark Segebart | 1,273 | 47.0 |
| | Republican | Adam Schweers | 1,082 | 40.0 |
| | Republican | Matthew Biede | 352 | 13.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,707 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 6 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mark Segebart | 16,023 | 57.1 |
| | Democratic | Mary C. Bruner | 12,058 | 42.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,081 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 8

Iowa Senate, District 8 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Michael E. Gronstal (incumbent) | 12,632 | 55.3 |
| | Republican | Al Ringgenberg | 10,198 | 44.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,830 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 10

Iowa Senate, District 10 Republican Primary, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jake Chapman | 1,800 | 65.5 |
| | Republican | Matthew T. Mardesen | 949 | 34.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,749 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 10 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jack Chapman | 22,594 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,594 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 12

Iowa Senate, District 12 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joni Ernst (incumbent) | 22,205 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,205 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 14

Iowa Senate, District 14 Republican Primary, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Amy Sinclair | 2,652 | 66.1 |
| | Republican | Steven Everly | 1,116 | 27.8 |
| | Republican | Stephanie Jones | 247 | 6.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,015 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 14 Democratic Primary, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dick Schrad | 775 | 67.4 |
| | Democratic | Jason Demichelis | 375 | 32.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,150 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 14 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Amy Sinclair | 17,141 | 60.9 |
| | Democratic | Dick Schrad | 11,011 | 39.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,152 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 16

Iowa Senate, District 16 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dick Dearden (incumbent) | 16,065 | 65.5 |
| | Republican | David Scott Edwards | 8,469 | 34.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,534 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 18

Iowa Senate, District 18 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Janet Petersen | 18,954 | 69.2 |
| | Republican | Vicki Stogdill | 8,455 | 30.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 27,409 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 20

Iowa Senate, District 20 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Brad Zaun (incumbent) | 24,236 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,236 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 22

Iowa Senate, District 22 Republican Primary, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Pat Ward (incumbent) | 1,818 | 58.0 |
| | Republican | Jeff Mullen | 1,314 | 42.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,132 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 22 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Pat Ward (incumbent) | 19,067 | 56.6 |
| | Democratic | Desmund Adams | 14,626 | 43.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 33,693 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |
* Senator Ward died less than a month before the 2012 general election and, since the ballots had already been printed, won this election after having already deceased. A special election was held due to these circumstances.
Iowa Senate, District 22 Special Election, December 11, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Charles Schneider | 5,378 | 56.5 |
| | Democratic | Desmund Adams | 4,136 | 43.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,514 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 24

Iowa Senate, District 24 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jerry Behn (incumbent) | 17,035 | 54.8 |
| | Democratic | Shelly Stotts | 14,049 | 45.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,084 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 26

Iowa Senate, District 26 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mary Jo Wilhelm (incumbent) | 15,530 | 50.2 |
| | Republican | Merlin Bartz (incumbent) | 15,404 | 49.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,934 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 28

Iowa Senate, District 28 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Michael Breitbach | 14,867 | 50.06 |
| | Democratic | John Beard | 14,833 | 49.94 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,700 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 30

Iowa Senate, District 30 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jeff Danielson (incumbent) | 16,946 | 51.0 |
| | Republican | Matt Reisetter | 16,265 | 49.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 33,211 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 32

Iowa Senate, District 32 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Brian Schoenjahn (incumbent) | 16,338 | 53.2 |
| | Republican | Elliott Henderson | 14,346 | 46.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,684 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 34

Iowa Senate, District 34 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Liz Mathis (incumbent) | 21,178 | 61.2 |
| | Republican | Ryan Flood | 13,401 | 38.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 34,579 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 36

Iowa Senate, District 36 Republican Primary, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jane A. Jech | 1,880 | 58.8 |
| | Republican | Larry McKibben | 1,316 | 41.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,196 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 36 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Steve Sodders (incumbent) | 15,733 | 54.1 |
| | Republican | Jane A. Jech | 13,360 | 45.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,093 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 38

Iowa Senate, District 38 Democratic Primary, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Shelley Parbs | 735 | 57.9 |
| | Democratic | Nicholas G. Volk | 299 | 23.6 |
| | Democratic | LaForest Sherman | 235 | 18.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,269 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 38 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tim Kapucian (incumbent) | 17,124 | 54.8 |
| | Democratic | Shelley Parbs | 14,137 | 45.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,261 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 40

Iowa Senate, District 40 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ken Rozenboom | 17,628 | 60.2 |
| | Democratic | Tim Tripp | 11,670 | 39.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,298 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 42

Iowa Senate, District 42 Democratic Primary, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Rich Taylor | 1,446 | 49.8 |
| | Democratic | Donna Amandus | 1,032 | 35.6 |
| | Democratic | Bob Morawitz | 423 | 14.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,901 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 42 Republican Primary, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Larry W. Kruse | 2,324 | 71.1 |
| | Republican | Lee Harder | 943 | 28.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,267 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 42 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Rich Taylor | 15,058 | 50.6 |
| | Republican | Larry W. Kruse | 13,281 | 44.7 |
| | Independent | Michael Garmoe | 1,396 | 4.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,735 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 44

Iowa Senate, District 44 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Thomas G. Courtney (incumbent) | 16,125 | 57.0 |
| | Republican | Brad Bourn | 12,168 | 43.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,293 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 46

Iowa Senate, District 46 Republican Primary, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Shawn Hamerlinck (incumbent) | 1,476 | 60.9 |
| | Republican | James F. Hahn (incumbent) | 947 | 39.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,423 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 46 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Chris Brase | 15,960 | 53.4 |
| | Republican | Shawn Hamerlinck (incumbent) | 13,950 | 46.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,910 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 48

Iowa Senate, District 48 Republican Primary, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dan Zumbach | 1,479 | 78.8 |
| | Republican | Brian W. Cook | 399 | 21.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,878 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 48 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dan Zumbach | 16,415 | 50.9 |
| | Democratic | Nate Willems | 15,858 | 49.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 32,273 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 49

Iowa Senate, District 49 Democratic Primary, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Rita Hart | 1,289 | 53.5 |
| | Democratic | Dorothy O'Brien | 1,121 | 46.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,410 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 49 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Rita Hart | 17,305 | 54.6 |
| | Republican | Andrew Naeve | 14,398 | 45.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,703 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 50

Iowa Senate, District 50 Republican Primary, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | William Johnson | 745 | 56.1 |
| | Republican | John E. Hulsizer, Jr. | 584 | 43.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,329 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 50 General Election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Pam Jochum (incumbent) | 20,808 | 68.0 |
| | Republican | William Johnson | 9,790 | 32.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,598 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
* ↑ Redistricted from district 50 to 8.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 48 to 12.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 34 to 16.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 32 to 20.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 30 to 22.
* ↑ Won a special election in district 22 following the death of Senator Ward.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 8 to 26.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 6 to 26.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 10 to 30.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 12 to 32.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 18 to 34.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 22 to 36.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 20 to 38.
* 1 2 Redistricted from district 42 to 46.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 40 to 46.
* ↑ Redistricted from district 14 to 50.
Source: