(Radio Iowa) – Republicans have won 34 seats in the Iowa Senate. Jack Whitver is the G-O-P leader in the Senate. “We have made history,” Whitver said. “It’s been over 50 years since either side has had a super majority.” In January, the Senate G-O-P will have the required 34 votes to confirm all state agency leaders and board and commission members Governor Kim Reynolds nominates — and Democrats cannot vote to block those appointments. Zach Wahls — the Senate’s Democratic Leader — says his party faced national headwinds that will dissipate when Donald Trump’s influence in the G-O-P starts to wane.

“We have a long road ahead of us, but I do think that there is a clear path back to political power for Democrats in the state of Iowa,” Wahls said. Wahls says one bright spot for Democrats last (Tuesday) night was the defeat of Iowa Senate President Jake Chapman, a Republican from Adel. Republicans in the Iowa House appear to have added to their majority, although results in a few races were still unknown early this (Tuesday) morning. Speaker Pat Grassley says Republicans in the Iowa House currently represent all or part of 97 counties.

“After tonight, that number is 99 of 99 counties,” Grassley said, to cheers. Iowa House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst says it’s time for Democratic to turn a page and use this election as motivation. “The choices are be defeated, be down, or get ready to fight and I’m ready to fight,” Konfrst says, “and I’m ready to build back.”

The 2023 legislative session begins Monday, January 9th.