Iowa Republicans choose Amy Sinclair as Senate president after Jake Chapman's election loss
Republicans have chosen state Sen. Amy Sinclair as the new president of the Iowa Senate following the defeat of current President Jake Chapman in Tuesday's election.
Sinclair, a Republican from Allerton, was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2013 and has served as majority whip and chair of the Education Committee.
Senate Republicans also reelected Sen. Jack Whitver as majority leader. They announced the results of the leadership election Thursday.
“I thank my colleagues for the opportunity to be the president of the Iowa Senate,” Sinclair said in a statement Thursday. “This role is critical to the success of our caucus and the Senate as a whole. I appreciate the trust they have put in me, and I look forward to continuing the progress we have made to make Iowa the best state in the country.”
More:Republicans appear poised to expand majorities in Iowa Legislature after election red wave
The job of Senate president came open after Chapman, R-Adel, lost his race for Iowa Senate District 14 to state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines. The two were paired in the same Senate district after last year's redistricting process.
As majority leader, Whitver will lead the Republican caucus and set the party's agenda in Iowa's upper legislative chamber. He has held the job since 2018.
He called the position "a great honor and privilege."
“I am humbled to be reelected as the Senate majority leader for the Iowa Senate and lead one of the most productive and conservative caucuses in the country," Whitver said in a statement. "I am proud of the accomplishments we have had over the last several years, like historic tax reform, controlling spending, and supporting law enforcement. I look forward to working on important issues facing our state.”
More:Trone Garriott defeats State Senate president Chapman in Dallas County
Despite Chapman's loss, Republicans gained two seats in the Iowa Senate this year and are expected to hold a 34-16 supermajority large enough to deny Democrats the power to block gubernatorial appointees that require confirmation by a two-thirds majority.
House Republicans reelect Pat Grassley as House Speaker, Matt Windschitl as majority leader
Republicans also picked up seats in the Iowa House and are on track for a 64-36 majority, although six races had not been called by the Associated Press as of Thursday morning.
House Republicans held their own leadership elections Thursday, reelecting Rep. Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, as House Speaker and Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, as majority leader. Both have held their current posts since 2019.
"Iowans have trusted Republicans with the majority in the Iowa House for over 12 years now," Grassley said in a statement. "They have come to know us as the leaders that lower the tax burden, budget responsibly, and trust them to make their own decisions for themselves and their families. We listen to our constituents and we deliver on what we say we're going to do."
House Republicans also reelected Rep. John Wills, R-Spirit Lake, as speaker pro tem, a position he's held since 2019. And they elected Rep. Henry Stone, R-Forest City, as House majority whip.
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 Twitter at @sgrubermiller.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Amy Sinclair elected as Senate president, Jack Whitver majority leader
