Senate Republicans elected Sen. Mike Klimesh as their next majority leader, after Majority Leader Jack Whitver announced he would step down from the role.
Klimesh, R-Spillville, was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2020 and is serving his second term. He is the former mayor of Spillville and worked as a plant manager for Graphics, Inc., a printing company in Calmar.
“I look forward to leading this caucus and continuing to implement our agenda to reduce taxes, making it more affordable to live in Iowa, reduce barriers to work and invest in this state, expand the economy and return Iowa schools to their status as the best in the country,” he said in a statement.
Klimesh chairs the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and is vice chair of the Local Government Committee and the Health and Human Services Appropriations subcommittee. He also serves on the Commerce, Rules and Administration, Transportation and Ways and Means committees.
He graduated from South Winneshiek High School in 1987 and received a bachelor’s degree from Luther College in 1991. He has coached trap shooting teams at South Winneshiek High School and North Iowa Community College and served on Winneshiek County’s economic development, tourism and community foundation boards. He and his wife, Kate, have one son.
Whitver, R-Grimes, announced Sept. 16 that he would step down from his role as majority leader and that he will not seek reelection to his Iowa Senate seat in 2026 as he continues to receive treatment for a brain tumor.
“Leading a deep and talented group of senators is an honor, and with that honor comes a great responsibility,” Klimesh said. “I want to thank Jack for his years of service, his exceptional example as a leader and most of all for his friendship. I can’t imagine anyone leaving behind bigger shoes to fill.”
Whitver was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2011 and has served as majority leader since 2018. He led Senate Republicans’ election efforts culminating in a 35-seat supermajority following the 2024 election.
However, Klimesh will not start the job with a GOP supermajority after Democrats won back two seats in special elections this year. Republicans now hold a 33-17 majority in the Senate.
Gov. Kim Reynolds congratulated Klimesh.
“Congratulations to Senator Mike Klimesh on being elected Senate Majority Leader of the 91st Iowa General Assembly,” Reynolds said in a statement. “Sen. Klimesh’s influence in the Senate has steadily grown over the last four years, and I’m confident in his ability to successfully lead the Senate. I look forward to working with him in the upcoming legislative session to further our conservative agenda and build upon our years of success.”
Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner, D-Iowa City, also congratulated Klimesh and thanked Whitver for his service.
“I want to offer my congratulations to Senator Mike Klimesh on his election as leader of the Senate Republican caucus,” Weiner said in a statement. “I am hopeful that we can find ways to work together to deliver for and truly improve the lives of all Iowans in the bipartisan manner they expect from us.”
Weiner also thanked Whitver “for his steadfast commitment to public service.”
“A leadership role at the Capitol is not an easy task, especially while dealing with the heavy burden of illness,” she said. “I look forward to continuing to serve with him.”
The election is the fourth leadership change in the Iowa Legislature in the last 12 months.
Senate Democrats chose Weiner as minority leader in November to replace retired Sen. Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque.
House Democrats tapped Rep. Brian Meyer, D-Des Moines, as minority leader in May, after Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, stepped down from the post to run for Congress.
And House Republicans elected Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, as majority leader in August. He replaces Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, who left the position to run for Congress.
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 Senate Republicans elect Mike Klimesh as majority leader to succeed Jack Whitver
Reporting by Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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