Date set for special Iowa Senate election

Residents in Iowa Senate District 1 will decide Zach Whiting's successor during a special election Dec. 14.

Gov. Kim Reynolds set the date for the vote last week. Whiting, a Republican from Spirit Lake, resigned from his District 1 post Oct. 30 due to an impending move to Texas, where he has accepted a job with a conservative think tank.

As of Tuesday morning, two Republicans – Dave Rowley and Barb Clayton, both of Spirit Lake – had announced campaigns to succeed Whiting. No Democrats have stepped forward.

District 1 includes Osceola, Clay, Lyon, Dickinson and Palo Alto counties. There is one year left on Whiting's term.

According to the political news blog IowaTorch.com, District 1 Republicans are set to pick their candidate for the special election during a nominating convention on Thursday, Nov. 11 at the Arrowhead Conference Center in Okoboji at 6 p.m. Anyone seeking to be on the ballot via nominating petition must gather 100 signatures from eligible District 1 electors and turn in paperwork by Friday, Nov. 19.