(Des Moines) The new 26-member Democratic majority of the Iowa Senate met Sunday, to elect their legislative leaders and welcome three newly elected members. The three new elected Democratic Senators will be sworn in on January 12 when the 2015 session begins. They are Chaz Allen of Newton, Tony Bisignano of Des Moines, and Kevin Kinney of rural Oxford. Senator Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs was elected to continue serving as the Senate Majority Leader of the Iowa Senate.

Gronstal said “We will focus on broadly supported, common sense measures to expand and strengthen Iowa’s middle class. The most serious economic challenge we face is that the recovery has yet to reach the broad majority of Iowans.”

Senator Pam Jochum of Dubuque was re-elected President of the Senate. Senator Steve Sodders of State Center was re-elected Senate President Pro Tempore.  Senate Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City was elected Majority Whip. Senators Mary Jo Wilhelm of Cresco, Amanda Ragan of Mason City, Matt McCoy of Des Moines, and Bill Dotzler of Waterloo were elected Assistant Majority Leaders.

(Press Release)