Samy El-Baroudi secured the Democratic nomination for Iowa Senate District 17 in unofficial results as counting continued in other Des Moines metro state Senate races.
Republicans currently hold a 67-33 supermajority in the House. In the Senate, the GOP majority has narrowed to 33-17 after Democrats made inroads during a string of special elections.
Iowa Senate District 11: Republican primary Shivers, Zajicek, Thorup
Mandee Shivers, Hollie Zajicek and Jon Thorup were in a three-way Republican primary for Iowa Senate District 11. The winner will go on to face Sinnika Waugh, who is the only Democrat running.
The seat is open after Republican Sen. Julian Garrett announced his retirement following a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Republicans Mandee Shivers, Hollie Zajicek and Jon Thorup.
Shivers’ campaign focused on protecting parental rights, strengthening anti-human trafficking protections and addressing Iowa’s cancer rates.
Zajicek, Norwalk’s economic development director, said her top issue is strengthening and growing local economies.
Thorup did not respond to the Register’s candidate questionnaire.
Iowa Senate District 17: El-Baroudi wins Democratic primary, beating Van Cleave
Samy El-Baroudi edged out Grace Van Cleave in unofficials results of the Democratic primary for Iowa Senate District 17.
El-Baroudi led Van Cleave 53% to 47%. He will go on to face Republican Ronald Langston, who ran for the seat unopposed in the primary.
Senate District 17 encompasses areas north of the Des Moines River, including Des Moines’ Oak Park, Prospect Park, Sherman Hill and Drake neighborhoods and the East Village. Current District 17 Sen. Izaah Knox is departing the seat representing Des Moines to run for Polk County Supervisor.
As a public school teacher, El-Baroudi’s top issues were increasing public school funding and eliminating Iowa’s Education Savings Accounts.
Van Cleave said her top issue was making the cost of living more affordable for Iowans.
Iowa Senate District 19: Republican primary Eschliman, Kniff McCulla
Candidates Bob Eschliman and Barb Kniff McCulla were competing in the Republican primary for Iowa Senate District 19. The winner will face Zachary Mecham, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
The district includes all of Jasper County, the western half of Mahaska County and a large portion of Marion County. Republican Sen. Ken Rozenboom of Pella is vacating the seat as he retires from the Legislature.
Republicans Bob Eschliman and Barb Kniff McCulla
McCulla currently represents Iowa House District 37.
Eschilman’s says his main priority is re-establishing the government’s role of protecting Iowans’ “God-given natural rights and personal liberties.”
Iowa Senate District 23: Republican primary Bousselot, Enos
Mike Bousselot and Wes Enos were facing off in the Democratic primary for Iowa Senate District 23. The winner will face Democrat Tony Thompson, who was unopposed in the Demcoratic primary.
Iowa Senate District 23 includes north and east Polk County and parts of eastern Dallas County, including some of Granger, Grimes, Bondurant, Mitchellville, Runnells and Urbandale. The seat opened up after former Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver announced his retirement from the legislature in 2025.
Republicans Mike Bousselot and Wes Enos
Bousselot, who currently represents Iowa Senate District 21, is focused on easing the cost of living by lowering property taxes.
Enos, the deputy chief of staff for GOP U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, said his top issues are protecting private property rights and reforming Iowa’s property tax system.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: El-Baroudi secures a Democratic state Senate nod as counting continues
Reporting by Maya Marchel Hoff, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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