Petersen Stepping Down As Iowa Senate Minority Leader

DES MOINES, Iowa – State Senator Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, announced that she would not seek re-election as the Iowa Senate Minority Leader.

“It was an incredible experience serving as Iowa’s first female Iowa Senate Democratic leader,” said Petersen. “I am grateful to my caucus for electing me to the role and for asking me to continue on, but as C. Joy Bell once said, ‘Holding on to something that is good for you know, may be the very reason you don’t have something better.'”

“Election night was rough for Iowa Democrats. Fortunately, Senate Democrats weathered a bad year without losing any ground. The Iowa Statehouse may be dominated by Trump loyalists for now, but I don’t see Iowans putting up with that type of leadership much longer,” she said. “I look forward to continuing my work on behalf of all Iowans and getting our state back on a better path.”

Petersen was elected to be Senate Minority Leader on October 22, 2017, and was preceded by State Senator Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids. She was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2012, she represents Iowa Senate District 18. Before that, she served in the Iowa House of Representatives for 12 years.