# 1984 Iowa Senate election

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The 1984 Iowa State Senate elections took place as part of the biennial 1984 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 1984 is provided by the Iowa General Assembly here.
The primary election on June 5, 1984, determined which candidates appeared on the November 6, 1984 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 28 seats to Republicans' 22 seats.
To take control of the chamber from Democrats, the Republicans needed to net 4 Senate seats.
Democrats expanded their control of the Iowa State Senate following the 1984 general election with the balance of power shifting to Democrats holding 29 seats and Republicans having 21 seats (a net gain of 1 seat for the Democrats).

## Summary of Results

* NOTE: The 25 odd-numbered districts did not have elections in 1984 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 | Lee Warren Holt | Republican |
| 8th | Berl Priebe | Dem | Berl Priebe | Democratic |
| 10th | Alvin V. Miller | Dem | Alvin V. Miller | Democratic |
| 12th | Ted J. Anderson | Dem | Joy Corning | Republican |
| 14th | James V. Gallagher | 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 | Edgar Holden | Republican |
| 22nd | Merlin Hulse | Rep | Beverly Hannon | Democratic |
| 24th | Hurley Hall | Dem | Hurley Hall | Democratic |
| 26th | James D. Wells | Dem | James D. Wells | Democratic |
| 28th | Richard F. Drake | Rep | Richard F. Drake | Republican |
| 30th | Charles Peter Miller | Dem | Charles Peter Miller | Democratic |
| 32nd | Forrest Schwengels | Rep | Forrest Schwengels | Republican |
| 34th | Bass Van Gilst | Dem | John A. Neighbour | 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 | David Readinger | Republican |
| 44th | Jack Nystrom | Rep | Jack Nystrom | Republican |
| 46th | James E. Briles | Rep | Leonard Boswell | Democratic |
| 48th | Charles W. Hutchins | Dem | Charles W. Hutchins | Democratic |
| 50th | Tom L. Slater | Dem | Michael Gronstal | Democratic |
Source:

## Detailed Results

* Reminder: Only even-numbered Iowa Senate seats were up for election in 1984; therefore, odd-numbered seats did not have elections in 1984 & 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 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Donald V. Doyle (incumbent) | 13,782 | 58.2 |
| | Republican | Paul C. Jackson | 9,918 | 41.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,700 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 4

Iowa Senate, District 4 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Richard Vande Hoef (incumbent) | 15,634 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,634 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 6

Iowa Senate, District 6 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Lee Holt (incumbent) | 13,540 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,540 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 8

Iowa Senate, District 8 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Berl Priebe (incumbent) | 16,121 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,121 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 10

Iowa Senate, District 10 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Alvin V. Miller (incumbent) | 14,464 | 55.1 |
| | Republican | Don Morrison | 11,787 | 44.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,251 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 12

Iowa Senate, District 12 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joy Corning | 13,813 | 50.6 |
| | Democratic | Ted Anderson (incumbent) | 13,511 | 49.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 27,324 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 14

Iowa Senate, District 14 Democratic Primary Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Larry Murphy | 1,466 | 55.3 |
| | Democratic | James V. Gallagher (incumbent) | 1,185 | 44.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,651 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 14 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Larry Murphy | 12,851 | 54.5 |
| | Republican | Karen Franks | 10,743 | 45.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,594 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 16

Iowa Senate, District 16 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dale L. Tieden (incumbent) | 15,508 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,508 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 18

Iowa Senate, District 18 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bob Carr (incumbent) | 15,701 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,701 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 20

Iowa Senate, District 20 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Edgar Holden (incumbent) | 17,057 | 65.7 |
| | Democratic | Walter L. Knapper | 8,912 | 34.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,969 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 22

Iowa Senate, District 22 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Beverly Hannon | 12,802 | 50.7 |
| | Republican | Merlin Hulse (incumbent) | 12,456 | 49.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,258 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 24

Iowa Senate, District 24 Democratic Primary Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Hurley Hall (incumbent) | 1,852 | 65.6 |
| | Democratic | Tom Netcott | 970 | 34.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,822 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 24 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Hurley Hall (incumbent) | 13,480 | 51.9 |
| | Republican | George A. Lowe | 12,513 | 48.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,993 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 26

Iowa Senate, District 26 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | James D. Wells (incumbent) | 16,400 | 60.9 |
| | Republican | Kenneth D. Feeney | 10,528 | 39.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,928 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 28

Iowa Senate, District 28 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Richard F. Drake (incumbent) | 14,440 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,440 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 30

Iowa Senate, District 30 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Charles P. Miller (incumbent) | 13,411 | 55.4 |
| | Republican | Ginny Burrus | 10,800 | 44.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,211 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 32

Iowa Senate, District 32 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Forrest Schwengels (incumbent) | 14,492 | 59.7 |
| | Democratic | Craig J. Downing | 9,788 | 40.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,280 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 34

Iowa Senate, District 34 Republican Primary Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jerry G. Davis | 1,775 | 48.9 |
| | Republican | J. Noel Vincent | 1,320 | 36.4 |
| | Republican | Douglas R. Hawkins | 532 | 14.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,627 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 34 Democratic Primary Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John A. Neighbour | indecipherable | indecipherable |
| | Democratic | Michael D. Aubrey | indecipherable | indecipherable |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | indecipherable | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 34 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John A. Neighbour | 12,686 | 56.8 |
| | Republican | Jerry G. Davis | 9,642 | 43.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,328 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 36

Iowa Senate, District 36 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Soorholtz (incumbent) | 14,772 | 56.6 |
| | Democratic | Bert Permar | 11,331 | 43.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,103 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 38

Iowa Senate, District 38 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Emil J. Husak (incumbent) | 12,757 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,757 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 40

Iowa Senate, District 40 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | George Kinley (incumbent) | 15,418 | 69.3 |
| | Republican | Virginia Lee Johnston | 6,840 | 30.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,258 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 42

Iowa Senate, District 42 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | David Readinger (incumbent) | 17,160 | 54.6 |
| | Democratic | Joseph Z. Marks | 14,286 | 45.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,446 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 44

Iowa Senate, District 44 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jack Nystrom (incumbent) | 13,318 | 50.6 |
| | Democratic | Sam Garst | 12,978 | 49.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,296 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 46

Iowa Senate, District 46 Democratic Primary Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Leonard Boswell | 2,258 | 60.6 |
| | Democratic | Fred P. Diehl | 1,468 | 39.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,726 | 100.0 |
Iowa Senate, District 46 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Leonard Boswell | 13,460 | 51.7 |
| | Republican | L. W. Joe Gross | 12,557 | 48.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,017 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 48

Iowa Senate, District 48 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bill Hutchins (incumbent) | 13,642 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,642 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 50

Iowa Senate, District 50 General Election, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Michael Gronstal | 11,030 | 54.8 |
| | Republican | Carroll Jackson | 9,086 | 45.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 20,116 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |