(Des Moines, IA) Iowa Senate Republicans selected former Senate President Jack Whitver (R-Ankeny) as the next Iowa Senate Majority Leader replacing former Iowa Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix (R-Shell Rock) who resigned on Monday.
State Senator Charles Schneider (R-West Des Moines), the former majority whip, was selected to replace Whitver as the President of the Senate. State Senator Amy Sinclair (R-Allerton), who served as assistant majority leader, was selected to be the new majority whip.
“I am honored and humbled to receive the support of my colleagues as we move forward with new leadership to continue the agenda Iowans elected us to implement,” Whitver said. “Iowa is the best state in the country, however, we must not be satisfied with our success. Senate Republicans will continue to improve the environment for education, health care and career opportunities for all Iowans. This caucus has been an effective governing force because we have remained united in pursuing our goals. That unity remains in place today. I look forward to working with Governor Reynolds and House Leadership to conclude this successful session.”
Whitver, a former football standout at Iowa State University, has served in the Iowa Senate since 2011 and represents Iowa Senate District 19. Whitver also serves as an attorney at the law firm of Hagenow & Gustoff and owns several small businesses. He serves as the vice chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee and serves on Appropriations and Administrative Rules Review committees, as well as, the Legislative Council.
“I congratulate my friend Jack Whitver on his election as Majority Leader. I know he has the leadership skills to guide us successfully through the remainder of this session and for many years to come. I also want to thank my fellow Senate Republicans for their confidence in me by choosing me to be Senate President,” Schneider said in a released statement.
Schneider was first elected to the Iowa State Senate in 2012 after serving on the West Des Moines City Council from 2007 to 2012. He serves Iowa Senate District 22. He is also counsel for Principal Financial Group. In the Iowa Senate, he has also served as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and has served on the International Relations, Judiciary, Legislative Council, Rules and Administration, and State Government committees.
“I am excited to work with the new leadership team in the Iowa Senate. We have tremendous opportunities ahead of us to continue to make bold changes to Iowa. I am eager to work with my colleagues in this new role and seeing positive legislation moving forward for the rest of this session,” Sinclair stated after her selection as majority whip.
She is serving her second term joining the Iowa Senate in 2013 representing Iowa Senate District 14. Before that, she served two terms on the Wayne County Board of Supervisors. Sinclair is the chair of the Iowa Senate Education Committee and serves as the vice-chair for the Iowa Senate Government Oversight Committee. She also serves on the Commerce, Judiciary, Legislative Council, Rules and Administration committees.
State Senator Jake Chapman (R-Adel) was selected to replace Sinclair as the Assistant Majority Leader. “It is an honor and a privilege to be elected by my peers to this position. I am excited to be part of the leadership team,” he said.
Chapman represents Iowa Senate District 10 and has served in the Iowa Senate since 2013. He is the COO of a private ambulance company and is a licensed EMT. He is the chair of the Senate Commerce Committee and Vice-Chair of the State Government Committee. He also serves on the Human Resources Committee, Labor and Business Relations Committee, and is the vice chair of the Administration and Regulation Appropriations Subcommittee.