Voters cast their ballots in the general election at Bondurant Christian Church on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has set a March 11 date for the special election for Iowa House District 100 to fill the vacancy left by Rep. Martin Graber’s death.
The governor announced the special election Friday, one week after Graber, 72, died unexpectedly of a heart attack. Graber had represented House District 100, which covers Lee County and cities like Fort Madison and Keokuk, for three terms and won reelection to the position in the 2024 general election. Prior to entering politics, the Fort Madison Republican had served 32 years in the Army National Guard.
Before the special election, the state Democratic and Republican parties will convene for district nominating conventions, having delegates select their party candidates for the seats. The winner of the special election will hold the seat until the end of Graber’s elected term and the seat will be on the general election ballot in 2026.
The House special election will be the second special election for the Iowa Legislature in 2025. Democrat Mike Zimmer won the Senate District 35 special election in late January, filling the seat vacated by Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer, who was appointed as lieutenant governor in December.
Graber’s passing put Republicans at a 66-33 majority in the House while the seat remains vacant. House Speaker Pat Grassley told reporters Thursday that some individuals had expressed interest in running for the position, but that the House GOP is not involved until the nominating conventions are held.