© 2024 Iowa Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Update: Reynolds Sets Special Election After Danielson Resigns From Senate

jeff  danielson
John Pemble
/
IPR
Former Senator Jeff Danielson (D-Cedar Falls)

Updated Monday, Feb. 18:

Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, set a special election Monday to replace former Democratic Sen. Jeff Danielson of Cedar Falls for March 19. 

Senate District 30 covers Cedar Falls, Hudson and part of Waterloo. It's up to party conventions to nominate their candidates for the seat. Democrats are slated to choose a candidate Saturday, and Republicans will do that on Monday. 

Four Democrats have already said they will run. Former Rep. Walt Rogers, a Republican, is also reportedly considering a run.  

Danielson resigned to take a new job that had not been announced as of Monday night. 

The special election will fall during spring break for University of Northern Iowa students. UNI is in Senate District 30. 

Original post from Thursday, Feb. 14:

Sen. Jeff Danielson (D-Cedar Falls) abruptly resigned Thursday afternoon from the Iowa Senate. 

The four-term Democrat submitted a one-sentence resignation letter Thursday to the leaders of the House and Senate.

He told his hometown TV station KWWL that he also resigned from the Cedar Falls Fire Department because of an ongoing dispute between the department and city officials. Danielson said he has a new job that he had not announced as of Thursday night.

Gov. Kim Reynolds will have to set a special election to fill the seat. The winner will be up for re-election in 2020.

“We are excited to run a robust campaign to keep this Senate seat in Democratic hands,” said Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen in a statement. 

Kate Payne was an Iowa City-based Reporter
Katarina Sostaric is IPR's State Government Reporter