DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa Senate Democrats on Wednesday chose State Senator Pam Jochum of Dubuque to serve as the new Minority Leader of the Iowa Senate.
“I am honored to receive the unanimous support of my fellow Democratic Senators during this critical moment for our caucus and the state of Iowa,” Jochum said.
“As a united team, Senate Democrats will continue to fight for the principles we believe in on behalf of the people of Iowa. We’re fighting for strong working families and the rights and freedoms of all people. We’re fighting for high-quality public education and affordable, accessible healthcare in every community,” she added. “Senate Democrats look forward to offering a better way forward for the people of Iowa – in 2024 and beyond. We’re going to defend our incumbent senators, grow our caucus, and win a majority that delivers for middle class Iowans.”
Jochum replaces State Senator Zach Wahls of Coralville after what Iowa Starting Line reports was a disagreement over Iowa Senate Democratic caucus staffing decisions. He was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2018 and elected Minority Leader in 2021.
“I want to thank Sen. Wahls for his vision and leadership in guiding our caucus over the last three legislative sessions,” she said.
Jochum is serving her fourth term in the Iowa Senate and represents Iowa Senate District 36, which encompasses the city of Dubuque and part of Dubuque County. She previously served as Senate President and most recently as an Assistant Democratic Leader.
Throughout her tenure in the statehouse, Jochum worked to expand affordable health insurance coverage for working Iowans and advocated for citizens with disabilities to protect their health services after Iowa’s Medicaid system was privatized.
Born and raised in Dubuque, Jochum learned the value of a hard-day’s work from her parents, and the meaning of empathy and dignity from her daughter, Sarah. In addition to her legislative service, she worked as an administrator at Loras College, and at an insurance agency, Legal Aid, in financial services.
She will lead a group of only 16 state senators next session of the Iowa General Assembly that will convene on Monday, January 8, 2024.
