Democrat Catelin Drey Secures Upset Victory to Flip Iowa State Senate Seat, Ending GOP Supermajority

In a significant political upset, Democrat Catelin Drey won the election for an Iowa state Senate seat previously held by a Republican, breaking the GOP’s supermajority in the chamber. Drey’s victory came in the special election to fill the seat vacated by the late Republican State Senator Rocky De Witt.

Drey, who defeated Republican Christopher Prosch, succeeded in flipping the seat in a district traditionally dominated by the Republican Party. The result marked a critical shift in the balance of power in the Iowa Senate, which had maintained a GOP supermajority prior to this election.

The win is a morale boost for Iowa Democrats as they look ahead to the 2026 election cycle. It signals potential vulnerabilities for Republicans even in districts they have held for years, and may influence party strategies moving forward.

The special election was closely watched statewide, given its implications for legislative dynamics in Iowa. The GOP’s loss of a supermajority means that Democrats, by holding the balance, can exert greater influence over legislation and state policy-making.

Political analysts view the victory as a sign of changing voter attitudes and increased engagement from Democrats in the state. Additionally, it reflects broader national trends where Democrats have had localized successes in traditionally Republican areas.

The Iowa Senate’s new composition following Drey’s win recalibrates legislative negotiations and power-sharing between the two major parties. While the GOP remains the majority party, the absence of a supermajority requires some degree of bipartisan cooperation for advancing significant bills.

Catelin Drey’s win was announced on August 26, 2025, to widespread attention from political observers and both parties’ leadership. The full impact of this shift will unfold as the new legislative session begins and priorities are set.