Ernst Resigns Iowa Senate Seat, Special Election Called

(Des Moines, IA) The Office of Governor Terry E. Branstad today announced that United States Senator-elect Joni Ernst has submitted her formal resignation from the Iowa State Senate. Ernst, who was elected to the United States Senate on November 4, 2014, delivered the letter of resignation on Friday, November 28, 2014. Her resignation was effective immediately on Friday, November 28, 2014. The full letter can be read here.

“United States Senator-elect Joni Ernst has served her state and country as a soldier in the Iowa National Guard, local elected official and as a State Senator,” said Branstad. “Though I’m disappointed to lose Senator-elect Ernst’s leadership in the Iowa Legislature, I know she will be a strong voice of Iowa common sense in Washington, D.C.”

Branstad has ordered a special election for Iowa State Senate District 12 to be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2014. Senate District 12 includes Fremont, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Ringgold and Taylor counties.

“As a State Senator, Joni helped Governor Branstad and I reduce burdensome government regulations, lower taxes, balance the budget, pass transformational education reform and, fight the Federal Government’s attempt to gut the Renewable Fuel Standard,” said Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, who recruited Ernst to run for Montgomery County Treasurer and Iowa State Senate. “I’m confident Joni will take our Iowa values to the United States Senate.”

Iowa Code 69.14 outlines the authority given to the governor to set a special election. The proclamation ordering the special election can be read below and the signed proclamation can be found here.

WHEREAS, The Office of State Senator from the 12th Senatorial District, consisting of the following areas:

a.  Fremont county; and

b.  Mills county; and

c.  In Montgomery county, Douglas, Garfield, Lincoln, Pilot Grove, Red Oak, Sherman, and Washington townships, and that portion of Frankfort township lying outside the corporate limits of the city of Stanton; and

d. Page county; and

e. Ringgold county; and

f. Taylor county; and

g. In Montgomery county: (1)  The city of Stanton (2) East, Grant, Scott, and West townships

has become vacant by the reason of the resignation of Senator Joni Ernst.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Terry E. Branstad, Governor of the State of Iowa, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the law do hereby proclaim and direct that a special election to fill said vacancy shall be held within said District on

TUESDAY, THE 30^th DAY OF DECEMBER 2014, A.D.

WHEREFORE, all electors within said 12^th Senate District will take due notice and the County Commissioners of Elections of said counties will take official notice as provided in Iowa Code section 39.6, 2014.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE HERE­UNTO SUBSCRIBED MY NAME AND CAUSED THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF IOWA TO BE AFFIXED.  DONE AT DES MOINES THIS 1^st DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN.

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TERRY E. BRANSTAD

GOVERNOR OF IOWA

ATTEST:

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MATT SCHULTZ

SECRETARY OF STATE

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