New Majority Will Lead to Safe, Secure Future for All Iowa

Statement by Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal

"It appears that during the next General Assembly, Democrats will hold a 30-20 majority in the Iowa Senate. The election was a victory for our candidates, men and women who were actively involved in their communities, who listened to Iowans, and who offered a positive agenda for a safe, secure future.

As legislators, our job now is to continue listening to our constituents and to work together to find common ground. We will work with Governor Chet Culver and with all Democratic and Republican legislators seeking to develop bold, bipartisan solutions.

Top priorities include:

• Big steps to improve Iowa schools by ensuring that we have the best teachers in our classrooms and more accountability in our schools.
• Initiatives to create more good-paying jobs that will enrich the lives of workers in big cities, rural areas and small towns, including Iowa’s continued leadership in renewable energy.
• Legislation that makes health care more affordable and accessible for more Iowans.

New Democratic Senators:

• Rich Olive, Story City (Senate District 5)
• Bill Heckroth, Waverly (Senate District 9)
• Rob Hogg, Cedar Rapids (Senate District 19)
• Staci Appel, Ackworth (Senate District 37)
• Becky Schmitz, Fairfield (Senate District 45)