Credible sources say there is a possibility that State Senator Swati Dandekar (D-Marion) will be appointed to the Public Utilities Board by Governor Terry Brandstad.  If this is true then we’ll have an open seat in Senate District 18, which has the potential to be a Republican pick-up.  This would make a 25 seat tie in the Iowa Senate.

Update: By the way, I’d just like to point out that I broke this story :).  It has now been confirmed, Branstad will appoint Dandekar.  He will need to call for a special election within 5 days of announcement.  The earliest a special election can take place is within 45 days.  Gay marriage among other items will be primary issues in the race to claim this unexpected open seat.

2nd Update: The Branstad administration sent out a press release announcing the special election date: “Gov. Terry E. Branstad today set a Special Election date of November 8, 2011, to fill Senate District 18. The seat became vacant today after Senator Swati Dandekar resigned from her Senate seat to serve on the Iowa Utilities Board. Gov. Branstad had five days to choose a date for the election.  The Special Election will coincide with city elections.”


You May Also Like

Keystone Pipeline: A Laughing Matter to Bruce Braley?

President Barack Obama laughs off the jobs that would be created by the Keystone Pipeline project. Does Congressman Bruce Braley (D-IA) as well?

Branstad on Gas Tax Hike: Timing Is Right

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said that the timing is right for a gas tax hike while legislators consider transportation infrastructure funding options.

Steve King Receives Eight State Legislative Endorsements

Four current state senators, three current state representatives, and one former state representative endorsed U.S. Rep. Steve King in the Iowa 4th Congressional District GOP Primary.

Reynolds Releases Personal Tax Returns

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and her husband Kevin released their personal household tax returns for the last 10 years. They challenged the Democratic challenger Fred Hubbell to do the same.