On Tuesday, Democrats landed a huge win in Iowa after Democratic candidate Catelin Drey broke the Republican supermajority in the state Senate by winning a district that Donald Trump won by over 11 points in November. 

In the final sprint of the election, the DNC supported Senator-elect Drey and the Iowa Democratic State Party’s strong campaign by tapping into our distributed organizing team of over 30,000 volunteers for GOTV and hosting phone and text banks to help Iowans make a plan to vote.  

Drey’s victory is the latest example of Americans opposing Donald Trump and Republicans’ extreme, disastrous policies and demanding a change at the ballot box. The message is clear: voters are eager for strong Democratic leaders like Catelin Drey, who will govern on behalf of working people — not vote to cut health care to benefit Donald Trump and his billionaire buddies. 

Take a look at some of the coverage below: 

NBC News: Democrats break GOP supermajority in Iowa Senate by flipping Republican seat in special election

[Zoë Richards, 8/26/25]

“Iowa Democrats scored a significant victory Tuesday by flipping a Republican seat in a special election and breaking the GOP supermajority in the state Senate.

“Catelin Drey won the Sioux City-area district with 55% of the vote to Republican opponent Christopher Prosch’s 44%, according to unofficial results with all precincts reporting. …

“Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin celebrated Drey’s victory in a district Donald Trump won last year.

“‘Iowans are seeing Republicans for who they are: self-serving liars who will throw their constituents under the bus to rubber stamp Donald Trump’s disastrous agenda — and they’re ready for change,’ Martin said in a statement.

“‘Make no mistake: when Democrats organize everywhere, we win everywhere, and today is no exception,’ he added.”

Iowa Capital Dispatch: Iowa Democrats celebrate as Drey wins special election, breaks GOP supermajority

[Robin Opsahl, 8/26/25]

“Iowa Republicans’ supermajority in the state Senate was broken Tuesday as Democrat Catelin Drey won the special election for Iowa Senate District 1. …

“The state legislative race has gained national attention as some Democrats say the race could show a positive forecast for Democrats in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said the results show Iowans — and voters throughout the country — do not approve of Republican policies.

“‘Iowans are seeing Republicans for who they are: self-serving liars who will throw their constituents under the bus to rubber stamp Donald Trump’s disastrous agenda — and they’re ready for change,’ Martin said in a statement. ‘They are putting Republicans on notice and making it crystal clear: any Republican pushing Trump’s unpopular, extreme agenda has no place governing on behalf of Iowa families.’”

ABC News: Democrats celebrate special election victory in Iowa State Senate, ending GOP supermajority

[Alexandra Hutzler, 8/27/25]

“National Democrats are celebrating the results of a special election for the Iowa State Senate, after Democrat Catelin Drey won in a district President Donald Trump carried by 11 points in 2024 to break a Republican supermajority of the chamber. …

“Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, said on Wednesday the party mobilized more than 30,000 volunteers to aid Drey and Iowa Democrats.

“Martin, in a statement touting Drey’s victory, said Iowans are ‘putting Republicans on notice and making it crystal clear: any Republican pushing Trump’s unpopular, extreme agenda has no place governing on behalf of Iowa families.’

“‘That’s why all year long, Iowans have been electing Democrats ready to fight for working Iowans. Make no mistake: when Democrats organize everywhere, we win everywhere, and today is no exception,’ Martin said.”

Fox News: Democrats break GOP’s supermajority in Iowa after flipping state Senate seat

[Landon Mion, 8/27/25]

“Iowa Democrat Catelin Drey on Tuesday defeated Republican Christopher Prosch for an open state Senate seat, flipping the Republican-held seat and breaking the GOP’s supermajority in the upper chamber for the first time in three years, according to unofficial results from the Woodbury County Auditor’s Office. …

“‘Iowans are seeing Republicans for who they are: self-serving liars who will throw their constituents under the bus to rubber stamp Donald Trump’s disastrous agenda — and they’re ready for change,’ Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin said in a statement.

“‘They are putting Republicans on notice and making it crystal clear: any Republican pushing Trump’s unpopular, extreme agenda has no place governing on behalf of Iowa families,’ he continued. ‘That’s why all year long, Iowans have been electing Democrats ready to fight for working Iowans. Make no mistake: when Democrats organize everywhere, we win everywhere, and today is no exception.’”

New York Times: Iowa Democrat Appears to Flip State Legislative Seat in Upset Victory

[Mitch Smith, 8/26/25]

“Yet on Tuesday, for the second time this year, a Democrat appeared to flip a conservative-leaning district in the Iowa Senate. According to preliminary results posted by county officials, Catelin Drey, the Democratic nominee, was leading Christopher Prosch, the Republican, in a district that includes much of the Sioux City area in northwest Iowa. …

“Ken Martin, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said in a statement that ‘when Democrats organize everywhere, we win everywhere, and today is no exception.’ And Heather Williams, the president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said that ‘Democrats’ special election wins should send a flashing warning to the G.O.P.’”

Newsweek: Democrats Flip State Seat in District Trump Won by Double Digits

[Robert Birsel and Sonam Sheth, 8/26/25]

“A Democratic candidate flipped an open Iowa state Senate seat in a critical special election on Tuesday.

“Democrat Catelin Drey beat Republican Christopher Prosch in the race to represent Iowa’s 1st Senate District and replace the late Republican state Senator Rocky De Witt. …

“The Democratic National Committee touted Drey’s victory, saying in a statement sent to Newsweek: ‘The DNC congratulates Iowa Democrat Catelin Drey on her historic win to break the Republican-supermajority in the Iowa state Senate, by winning a district that Donald Trump won by over 11 points in November.’

“Ken Martin, the chair of the DNC, said in a statement: ‘Iowans are seeing Republicans for who they are: self-serving liars who will throw their constituents under the bus to rubber stamp Donald Trump’s disastrous agenda — and they’re ready for change.’

“‘They are putting Republicans on notice and making it crystal clear: any Republican pushing Trump’s unpopular, extreme agenda has no place governing on behalf of Iowa families,’ he added.

“‘That’s why all year long, Iowans have been electing Democrats ready to fight for working Iowans. Make no mistake: when Democrats organize everywhere, we win everywhere, and today is no exception.’”

Fox 9: Democrats flip Iowa Senate seat, break GOP’s supermajority

[Fox 9 Staff, 8/27/25]

“Iowa Democrat Catelin Drey won a race for the state Senate, flipping the district and breaking the Republican’s supermajority. …

“The Democratic National Committee cheered Drey’s victory. DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement: 

“‘Iowans are seeing Republicans for who they are: self-serving liars who will throw their constituents under the bus to rubber stamp Donald Trump’s disastrous agenda — and they’re ready for change. They are putting Republicans on notice and making it crystal clear: any Republican pushing Trump’s unpopular, extreme agenda has no place governing on behalf of Iowa families. That’s why all year long, Iowans have been electing Democrats ready to fight for working Iowans. Make no mistake: when Democrats organize everywhere, we win everywhere, and today is no exception.’ 

“The DNC says Drey’s victory is the latest in a string of ‘Democratic overperformances and victories,’ noting Democrats have won or ‘overperformed’ in 37 out of 38 ‘key elections.’”

Des Moines Register: Democrat Catelin Drey wins Iowa Senate special election, breaking Republican supermajority

[Stephen Gruber-Miller, 8/26/25]

“Democrat Catelin Drey has pulled off a victory in a special election for the Iowa Senate, flipping a Republican-held seat and breaking the GOP’s supermajority in the chamber for the first time in three years. …

“National Democratic groups like the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee invested resources into the race and were quick to trumpet the results.

“The Democratic National Committee hosted phone and text banks in cooperation with the Iowa Democratic Party to turn voters out to support Drey.

“‘Iowans are seeing Republicans for who they are: self-serving liars who will throw their constituents under the bus to rubber stamp Donald Trump’s disastrous agenda — and they’re ready for change,’ DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement.”

Washington Post: Democrats win special Iowa state Senate race, boosting optimism nationally

[Andrew Jeong and Patrick Svitek, 8/27/25]

“Catelin Drey (D) flipped a vacant state Senate seat in Iowa’s Sioux City area formerly held by a Republican, defeating Christopher Prosch (R), after she won more than 55 percent of the ballot in a low-turnout race, according to a tally from the office of Iowa’s secretary of state. President Donald Trump comfortably won the district last year.

“Drey drew support from the Democratic National Committee, which said it mobilized more than 30,000 volunteers for the race and argued the outcome was a warning sign for the GOP.

“‘Iowans are seeing Republicans for who they are: self-serving liars who will throw their constituents under the bus to rubber stamp Donald Trump’s disastrous agenda — and they’re ready for change,’ DNC Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement.”

The Hill: Democrats flip Iowa state Senate seat, breaking GOP supermajority

[Jared Gans, 8/26/25]

“Democrat Catelin Drey has flipped an open Iowa state Senate seat, adding to the party’s successes in special elections this year, Decision Desk HQ has projected. …

“The Democratic National Committee (DNC) seized on the opportunity ahead of the election, sending in 30,000 volunteers for ‘get out the vote’ efforts and hosting text- and phone-banks with the Iowa Democratic Party. 

“DNC Chair Ken Martin had said the party had failed to recognize the importance of downballot elections for too long and that rebuilding the party ‘starts from the ground up.’ 

“The DNC celebrated Drey’s win Tuesday night, noting the district voted for President Trump by more than 11 points in November. Martin said in a statement that Iowans are seeing Republicans as a ‘rubber stamp’ for Trump’s agenda and want change.

“‘They are putting Republicans on notice and making it crystal clear: any Republican pushing Trump’s unpopular, extreme agenda has no place governing on behalf of Iowa families,’ he said. ‘That’s why all year long, Iowans have been electing Democrats ready to fight for working Iowans. Make no mistake: when Democrats organize everywhere, we win everywhere, and today is no exception.’”

UPI: Iowa GOP loses supermajority in state Senate after Democrat’s win

[Jake Thomas, 8/26/25]

“Democrat Catelin Drey is on track to break the GOP supermajority in the Iowa state Senate by flipping a seat previously held by a Republican in a Tuesday special election. …

“Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin hailed the results in a statement saying they were a sign that voters in the state were ready for a change.

“‘They are putting Republicans on notice and making it crystal clear: any Republican pushing Trump’s unpopular, extreme agenda has no place governing on behalf of Iowa families,’ he said.”

Daily Beast: Dems Celebrate Breaking MAGA Stranglehold on Deep Red State

[Cameron Adams, 8/27/25]

“Catelin Drey beat Christopher Prosch, who believes rape victims should carry fetuses to term, in a district President Donald Trump won by over 11 points in November. …

“After Drey’s win, DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement, ‘Iowans are seeing Republicans for who they are: self-serving liars who will throw their constituents under the bus to rubber-stamp Donald Trump’s disastrous agenda—and they’re ready for change.’

“Martin continued, ‘They are putting Republicans on notice and making it crystal clear: any Republican pushing Trump’s unpopular, extreme agenda has no place governing on behalf of Iowa families. Make no mistake: when Democrats organize everywhere, we win everywhere, and today is no exception.’”

The Guardian: Democrat flips Iowa state senate seat and breaks Republican supermajority

[David Smith, 8/27/25]

“Catelin Drey flipped Iowa state senate district 1, beating Christopher Prosch in a special election held on Tuesday to fill the seat of the late senator Rocky De Witt. …

“The Democratic National Committee (DNC) also deployed 30,000 volunteers for ‘get out the vote’ efforts and hosted text and phone banks in conjunction with the Iowa Democratic party for Drey’s campaign.

“Ken Martin, chair of the DNC, said: ‘Iowans are seeing Republicans for who they are: self-serving liars who will throw their constituents under the bus to rubber-stamp Donald Trump’s disastrous agenda – and they’re ready for change.

“‘They are putting Republicans on notice and making it crystal clear: any Republican pushing Trump’s unpopular, extreme agenda has no place governing on behalf of Iowa families.’”

Washington Examiner: Catelin Drey flips Iowa state Senate seat to break GOP supermajority

[Ross O’Keefe, 8/26/25]

“Democrat Catelin Drey beat Republican Christopher Prosch to fill the seat of the late Republican state Sen. Rocky De Witt. …

“The Democratic National Committee had seized the district, rolling out 30,000 volunteers for ‘get out the vote’ plans.

“DNC Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement that the committee has ignored down-ballot races ‘for far too long.’ Breaking the supermajority means any gubernatorial nominee in the state would need at least some Democratic support to be confirmed.

“The DNC celebrated the Tuesday night win, noting Drey’s district voted for Trump by more than 11 points in 2024. Martin said that Iowans want change.

“‘They are putting Republicans on notice and making it crystal clear: any Republican pushing Trump’s unpopular, extreme agenda has no place governing on behalf of Iowa families,’ he said. ‘That’s why all year long, Iowans have been electing Democrats ready to fight for working Iowans. Make no mistake: when Democrats organize everywhere, we win everywhere, and today is no exception.’”

Des Moines Register: Democrats celebrate Iowa Senate special election victory while GOP calls party ‘desperate’

[Kate Kealey, 8/27/25]

“The Democrats national party Chair Ken Martin pointed to Drey’s win as an example of how the party can rebuild after years of losses at the local and national level.

“The party deployed a team of 30,000 volunteers to help Drey, Martin said.”

Straight Arrow News: Iowa Democrats flip district that Trump swept 3 times, defeating supermajority

[Krystal Nurse, 8/27/25]

“Democrats flipped an Iowa state legislative seat in Sioux City on Tuesday when Catelin Drey won 55% of the votes cast in a low-turnout race, according to results from the Iowa Secretary of State. Drey’s performance represented a more than 20-point swing from Donald Trump’s majority in the district in 2024, and her victory broke a Republican supermajority in the Iowa Senate for the first time since 2022. …

“The Democratic National Committee said on Tuesday that the party had aggressive get-out-the-vote and phone-banking campaigns to encourage Iowans to vote. …

“DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement that the election showed Iowans aren’t happy with their Republican lawmakers and are successfully replacing them with Democratic ones. 

“‘That’s why all year long, Iowans have been electing Democrats ready to fight for working Iowans,’ he said. ‘Make no mistake: when Democrats organize everywhere, we win everywhere, and today is no exception.’”