Mike Zimmer-wins

Democrat Mike Zimmer has claimed victory in Iowa’s 35th Senate District special election.

Zimmer faced off with Republican Katie Whittington to replace Republican Chris Cournoyer, who previously represented the district. She resigned after being tapped to serve as Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ new lieutenant governor.

“I am honored that the residents of Senate District 35 have put their faith in me to represent them in the Iowa Senate. Our campaign’s values of hard work and fairness resonated with a bipartisan coalition of voters in Clinton, Jackson, and Scott counties. I‘m looking forward to working on behalf of the people of Eastern Iowa to help working Iowans get ahead, support our public schools and teachers, and help lower the cost of living,” Zimmer said in a press release.

During a Jan. 16 public forum, Zimmer said he’s focused on improving education funding and raising the minimum wage. 

“I know we’re in the super minority, but I also know there are many many legislative pieces in which we can agree upon,” Zimmer said.

Zimmer also expressed approval of the plan to expand Highway 30 in Clinton County to four lanes and wants to see it come to fruition.

“Businesses look at that as a major artery and say, ‘Let’s take a look at whether we can afford to build there, because now I can get my product in and I can get my product out,'” Zimmer said.