Hawkeye Reporter

Governor Kim Reynolds has announced that a special election for Iowa Senate District 16 will take place on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. The decision follows the recent death of State Senator Claire Celsi, who passed away on October 6, 2025.

Celsi had served in the Iowa State Senate since her election in 2018 and was a member of several legislative committees. She was the ranking member of the Senate Government Oversight Committee. Senate District 16 covers areas including parts of West Des Moines, Clive, and Windsor Heights.

The authority for setting this special election is outlined in Iowa Code section 69.14, which gives the governor the power to schedule an election when a legislative seat becomes vacant.

The official proclamation from Governor Reynolds states:

"WHEREAS, the Office of State Senator for Sixteenth (16th) State Senate District of the Iowa General Assembly, as defined by section 41.2(16) of the 2025 Iowa Code has become vacant by reason of the death of Iowa State Senator Claire Celsi on October 6th, 2025.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, KIMBERLY K. REYNOLDS, Governor of the State of Iowa, by the power and authority vested in me by law, do hereby proclaim and direct that a special election to fill said vacancy shall be held within said District on:

TUESDAY, THE THIRTIETH (30TH) DAY OF DECEMBER, 2025 A.D.

WHEREFORE, all electors within the Sixteenth (16th) State Senate District will take due notice and the Dallas and Polk County Commissioners of Elections shall give official notice as provided in section 39.6 of the Iowa Code."