Democrat wins special Linn County Senate election

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Democrat Liz Mathis won a special Senate election, allowing Democrats to cling to their narrow majority in that chamber.

Mathis drew just over 55 percent of the vote Tuesday in Linn County’s District 18 to defeat Republican Cindy Golding. Her victory leaves Democrats in control of the chamber on a 26-24 margin.

Democrats have used their Senate majority to block a series of Republican efforts ranging from cutting business taxes to banning same-sex marriage to tightening laws on abortion.

Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal says the win will allow Democrats to continue blocking what he calls extreme proposals.

There also were a number of other elections in Iowa on Tuesday, including in Sioux City, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines.