DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Republicans have achieved their longtime goal of taking control of both the state House and Senate.
The GOP flipped several Senate seats Tuesday to erase a slim Democratic majority in the chamber that previously made Iowa one of a handful of states with a split-party legislature. Republicans maintained their House majority.
It’s the first time in 20 years the GOP will have control of both chambers and the governor’s office, a development that’s expected to alter legislative priorities when state lawmakers return to the Capitol in January.
Republicans could move ahead on previously failed attempts to further restrict abortion rights and expand gun access. They’ll also have no Democratic hurdles in deciding how to address water quality and the state’s minimum wage.