DES MOINES – Voting opened on Saturday for a vacant seat in the Iowa House of Representatives, and two Northern Iowa women of opposing political parties are looking to fill the role, with election day set for Tuesday.
Governor Kim Reynolds issued a proclamation setting Tuesday, December 9, 2025, as the date for a special election in Iowa House District 7 following the resignation of Iowa State Representative Mike Sexton, who was appointed by President Donald Trump in September to serve as Director for USDA Rural Development in Iowa. Sexton was first elected to the Iowa State House in 2014. He served as chair for the House Agriculture Committee since 2022.
Iowa Code section 69.14 outlines the authority given to the governor to set a special election.
Iowa House District 7 includes Calhoun, Pocahontas, and Sac Counties and part of Webster County.
The candidates in the election are Democrat Rachel Burns and Republican Wendy Larson. Both women are from Odebolt, Iowa. Currently, Republicans enjoy a 66-33 advantage in the House (was 67-33 until Sexton resigned.)
