Iowa Leaders Signal Cooperation Amidst Return to Divided Government

Iowa is heading toward its first divided state government since 2016, and the state’s legislative and executive leaders are already sketching out the boundaries of compromise.

Rob Sand and Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley held separate press conferences addressing the political shift, according to reporting by Iowa Public Radio. Sand takes office in January facing a Republican majority of 56-44 in the House and 32-18 in the Senate.

While the GOP retains firm control of both chambers, the loss of 11 House seats in the midterm elections stripped the party of the two-thirds majority required to override a gubernatorial veto.

Voters sent a clear message that they want the two parties to work together to make state government function better, Sand told reporters after speaking with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. Grassley acknowledged a difficult election night for his caucus while noting that Republican candidates still ran ahead of the party’s nominee for governor in 21 competitive districts.

Rob Sand, Iowa governor-elect, announces 'tripartisan' leadership team

Grassley said House Republicans will listen to Sand on proposals deemed reasonable, but he immediately questioned how a bipartisan pledge squares with Sand’s promise to veto legislation targeting cultural issues. Grassley told reporters that Sand’s veto stance could complicate efforts at bipartisanship.

The Speaker also voiced skepticism regarding some of Sand’s transition appointments, labeling certain team members as hyperpartisan. Even so, Grassley said he would give Sand the benefit of the doubt until actual legislation reaches the floor.

Sand, Grassley signal room for cooperation as Iowa returns to divided government — Photo: europesays.com

Sand countered by emphasizing that lawmakers who support bills he signs will receive direct recognition at signing ceremonies. “Credit given where credit is due,” Sand said.

To steer his transition, Sand named former Iowa Republican Party chair Mike Mahaffey and outgoing independent state Rep. Brian Lohse as co-chairs. Lohse previously left the Republican Party following a June primary loss. Sand also appointed Abe Rakov as chief of staff, citing Rakov's experience working within a divided Missouri government alongside former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander.

Iowa Governor-elect announces tri-partisan leadership

Concrete policy fights are already taking shape ahead of the January 11 legislative convening. Sand announced plans to initiate the termination of privatized Medicaid via executive order on his first day in office. He acknowledged the transition would require patience, recalling that federal regulators advised former Republican Gov. Terry Branstad’s administration to slow down during the initial privatization rollout.

Grassley indicated that House Republicans have not yet finalized their legislative agenda. When asked about potential limits on eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipelines, opening primaries to independent voters, or enacting a sales tax increase for water quality initiatives, Grassley maintained that his caucus needs to review specific bills before taking a position.

Fiscal policy, state budgeting, and financial relief for Iowans remain the primary areas of focus for the House Republican caucus. Meanwhile, Grassley requested that officials from the incoming administration testify before House budget subcommittees to ensure transparency from the outset.

“I can’t guarantee you that the Legislature will want to get things done,” Sand said. “I think they do. They have said they want to, and they’ve said that publicly that they’ll be working with me on places where we agree. Good, let’s go get stuff done. Time will tell.”