(Des Moines, Iowa; Iowa Capital Dispatch) – State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, was officially elected Iowa House majority leader on Monday, taking over the position from Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley.

Iowa House Republicans elected Kaufmann to lead the caucus through the remainder of the 91st General Assembly. Though the announcement makes the leadership change official, the news was expected as President Donald Trump referred to Kaufmann as “majority leader-elect” during his July 3 speech at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, more than a month in advance of the actual vote.

Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, spoke on the Iowa House floor Jan. 30, 2025, in support of a bill implementing a moratorium on new casinos in Iowa. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Kaufmann, the son of Iowa Republican Party chair Jeff Kaufmann, began serving in the Iowa House in 2013. He has held multiple leadership roles as chairs of the House State Government and Government Oversight committees, and most recently has served as the Ways and Means Committee chair since 2022. Outside of the Legislature, he served as a senior advisor for Trump’s 2024 Iowa caucus campaign.

As he takes over Windschitl’s position as majority leader, Kaufmann said he will work through the position on issues that matter to Iowans. “I am honored by the trust placed in me by my colleagues to serve as Majority Leader,” Kaufmann said in a statement. “This is a role I will not take lightly. I am committed to uniting our caucus to advance policies that strengthen our economy, support our families, and ensure our children will have bright futures. I look forward to working with Speaker Grassley to address the challenges and opportunities facing Iowa with bold, practical solutions.”