DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa House Republicans and Iowa Senate Republicans selected leaders for the 90th General Assembly on Thursday.
In the Iowa House of Representatives, State Rep. Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, was re-elected to continue serving as Speaker of the House. Grassley was first elected Speaker in 2019 and previously served as Chairman of the Appropriations, Agriculture, and Economic Growth committees. Grassley farms with his father and grandfather, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, in Butler County.
“I want to say a big thank you to the House Republican caucus for trusting me to lead this impressive group of public servants for another General Assembly,” he said.
Iowans have trusted Republicans with the majority in the Iowa House for over 12 years now. They have come to know us as the leaders that lower the tax burden, budget responsibly, and trust them to make their own decisions for themselves and their families. We listen to our constituents and we deliver on what we say we’re going to do. It is for that reason that we have continued to grow our majority and now represent part or all of 99 of Iowa’s 99 counties. We are eager to get back to Des Moines and get to work delivering on Iowans’ priorities and addressing their concerns,” Grassley added.
State Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, was re-elected as House Majority Leader. He was first elected Majority Leader in 2019 and previously served as Speaker Pro Tem. Windschitl works for Doll Distributing in Council Bluffs.
“It’s an honor to serve in the Iowa House and I’m very grateful to the Iowa House Republicans for once again putting their faith in me to serve as their Majority Leader. I’m very proud of all we’ve achieved as a caucus in my 16 years as representative and my 3 sessions as Majority Leader, but the work is not done,” he said.
“The fight to defend Iowans’ freedom is never over. Iowa House Republicans will continue to grow your freedom as an individual, a business owner, and a parent. And, we will continue our duty to be responsible with your taxpayer money, create more economic opportunity for all, and increase access to quality education,” Windschitl added. “Today, and every day, we stand proudly as a caucus that keeps our promises and delivers on Iowans’ priorities. We are eager to return to the people’s capitol for the start of the 90th General Assembly.”
State Rep. John Wills, R-Spirit Lake, was re-elected as Speaker Pro Tem, a position he has held since 2019. Wills works as the Clean Water Coordinator for the Dickinson Soil And Water Conservation District.
State Rep. Henry Stone, R-Forest City, was elected for the first time as House Majority Whip. Stone will be serving his second term in the Iowa House. He is a retired Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force.
Assistant Leaders will be elected at a later date. Iowa House Republicans will open the 90th General Assembly with a 64-member majority.
Iowa Senate Republicans re-elected State Senator Jack Whitver, R-Grimes, as Majority Leader. Whitver was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2011. Through his tenure in the Iowa Senate, he has held leadership positions including Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee and Republican Whip. After the November 2016 election, when Republicans gained control of the Iowa Senate, Whitver was elected as the Iowa Senate President by his colleagues. In March 2018 he became Senate Majority Leader.
“Leading this caucus is a great honor and privilege,” Whitver said. “I am humbled to be reelected as the Senate Majority Leader for the Iowa Senate and lead one of the most productive and conservative caucuses in the country. I am proud of the accomplishments we have had over the last several years, like historic tax reform, controlling spending, and supporting law enforcement. I look forward to working on important issues facing our state.”
State Senator Amy Sinclair, R-Allerton, was elected to become the next Senate President succeeding State Senator Jake Chapman, R-Adel, who lost his re-election in Iowa Senate District 14. Sinclair was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2013. She has served as the Majority Whip since 2018 and served as the chair of the Senate Education Committee. She has also been a member of several important committees in the Senate, such as Ways and Means, Commerce, and Judiciary.
“I thank my colleagues for the opportunity to be the President of the Iowa Senate,” Sinclair said. “This role is critical to the success of our caucus and the Senate as a whole. I appreciate the trust they have put in me, and I look forward to continuing the progress we have made to make Iowa the best state in the country.”
