Iowa Republicans have chosen Lucas Loftin as their nominee for a special election to fill the Iowa Senate seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Claire Celsi.
Polk and Dallas County Republicans met Nov. 8 for a convention to choose their nominee for the election, which Gov. Kim Reynolds set for Dec. 30 following Celsi’s death on Oct. 6.
Iowa Senate District 16 includes parts of West Des Moines, Clive and Windsor Heights.
“I am honored to be chosen as the Republican candidate in the upcoming special election,” Loftin said in a statement. “I’m running for the Iowa Senate to defend faith, family and freedom. My priorities include protecting life, lowering property taxes, investing wisely in education and ensuring government works for the people — not against them. I look forward to talking with the people of Senate District 16 and working hard to earn their support over the next several weeks.”
Loftin works at Wright Service Corp., an employee-owned company in West Des Moines, and serves on the boards of In His Light ministries and Homeschool Iowa and as co-president of Home Educators for Excellence in Des Moines, a Christian homeschool support group, according to a news release from the Republican Party of Iowa.
Loftin holds a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and an associate’s and master’s certificate in project management from the George Washington University School of Business, according to the release. He and his wife, Maggie, have been married for 15 years and have five children.
Democrats chose West Des Moines City Council Member Renee Hardman as their nominee at a special nominating convention on Oct. 21.
Republicans currently hold a 33-17 majority in the Iowa Senate. The GOP would regain a supermajority if they flip the seat.
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Republicans pick nominee for special election for Iowa Senate seat in West Des Moines
Reporting by Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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