Key Election Highlights - Iowans for Tax Relief

Election night delivered key victories for Republicans and a win for Iowa taxpayers. As ITR President Chris Hagenow remarked, “If there are clear winners and losers from the election, the taxpayers in Iowa certainly came out on top with the prospect of continued conservative policy momentum.” Here’s a closer look at the trends, outcomes, and what’s on the horizon for our state.

Election Analysis From the ITR Live Podcast

Iowa is Even More Red

Iowa experienced a notable five to six point shift to the right, moving deeper into conservative territory. Surprisingly, Iowa proved less competitive for Democrats than several traditionally blue states, such as New Hampshire, Minnesota, New York, and even Illinois. While political tides may shift in the future, Iowa’s red wave is strong for now.

Legislative Wins and Close Contests

At Iowans for Tax Relief, we closely watched key legislative races across the state:

Senator Brad Zaun (R) vs. Matt Blake (D): Despite a strong effort, Zaun’s increasingly blue district proved challenging, ending with his narrow five-point loss.
Representative Eddie Andrews (R): Andrews won convincingly in Johnston, a Democrat-leaning district.
Representative Bill Gustoff (R): Gustoff’s race remained tight, but he pulled ahead in the final precinct, winning by about 300 votes despite significant Democratic targeting.
Mike Pike (R) vs. Senator Nate Boulton (D): Pike achieved a surprising upset, defeating incumbent Boulton after a re-tabulation, giving Republicans a significant victory.

In total, Senate Republicans gained two seats, bringing their count to 35 out of 50, while House Republicans increased their seats from 64 to 67. These supermajorities are largely symbolic but valuable for critical appointments and decision-making.

Property Taxes: A Legislative Priority Going Forward

Property taxes emerged as a top issue during the campaign, with candidates addressing it extensively both in conversations with voters and through their paid messaging. The ITR Foundation Poll consistently shows broad, bipartisan support among Iowans for a 2% hard cap on property tax growth. Now, it’s up to legislators to deliver, as voters are expecting meaningful action.

Across the state, property tax-conscious Iowans also made their voices heard in local bond elections. Stay tuned for ITR’s in-depth analysis of these results in the coming weeks.

Winners and Losers of Election Night

Winners:

Taxpayers in Iowa: With the conservative agenda reaffirmed, voters can anticipate continued efforts in pro-growth tax reform and economic stability.
ITR Foundation Poll: Our poll maintained its status as Iowa’s “gold standard” in political polling.
The “America First” message: This message resonated deeply with Iowa voters.
Speaker Grassley and Majority Leader Whitver: Both expanded their majorities, a testament to effective strategy and fundraising.
Early Trump Supporters: High profile endorsers like former U.S. Attorney General Matt Whitaker and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird have further elevated their standing within the future Trump administration.

Losers:

The Media: Dubbed the “political information complex,” media narratives diverged significantly from election results, drawing criticism.
The Des Moines Register’s Iowa Poll and Ann Selzer: This poll fell short, completely misunderstanding the Iowa electorate.
The “Never-Trump” Movement: Key figures like Liz Cheney, Mitt Romney, and the Lincoln Project appear increasingly out of step with conservative voters.

Looking Ahead

It was a night to remember for Iowa Republicans and a strong affirmation of the conservative agenda. With supermajorities in both chambers, Iowa legislators are poised to advance key initiatives in the coming session. We’ll continue monitoring and advocating for taxpayer-friendly policies that keep Iowa on a path to growth and prosperity.

Thank you for your ongoing support of ITR and interest in Iowa’s future!

Support Iowans for Tax Relief!

The government takes too much of your money and time.

That’s why Iowans for Tax Relief (ITR) works to:

Educate Iowans about our solutions
Activate Iowans in support of our solutions
Influence elected officials to enact our solutions

Let’s get the government out of your pocket and off your back!