Dems re-elect leaders in Iowa Senate
By Charlotte Eby, Journal Des Moines Bureau | Posted: Monday, November 17, 2008
DES MOINES -- Democrats in the Iowa Senate re-elected their top leaders to their posts Sunday during a meeting in Des Moines.
Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs will remain Senate majority leader, and Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg will remain as Senate president.
Democrats extended their Senate majority to 32-18 in the Nov. 4 elections, which they say is the largest Democratic majority in the state's history.
In a statement, leaders said they would focus on responsible budgeting in the upcoming session that begins in January.
"Our budget is balanced and our reserve funds are at record levels," Gronstal said in a statement. "We will make the tough choices required to keep state government financially sound while continuing to move forward on jobs, education and health care."
Senate Democrats also re-elected Tom Courtney of Burlington as Democratic whip and Jeff Danielson of Waterloo as Senate president pro-tempore.
Danielson was re-elected to his Senate seat by a slim margin earlier this month, and opponent Walt Rogers has requested a recount.
Also elected as assistant majority leaders Sunday were Bill Dotzler of Waterloo, Amanda Ragan of Mason City, Bill Heckroth of Waverly, Staci Appel of Ackworth, Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City and Jack Hatch of Des Moines.
Charlotte Eby can be reached at 515-243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.
Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs will remain Senate majority leader, and Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg will remain as Senate president.
Democrats extended their Senate majority to 32-18 in the Nov. 4 elections, which they say is the largest Democratic majority in the state's history.
In a statement, leaders said they would focus on responsible budgeting in the upcoming session that begins in January.
"Our budget is balanced and our reserve funds are at record levels," Gronstal said in a statement. "We will make the tough choices required to keep state government financially sound while continuing to move forward on jobs, education and health care."
Senate Democrats also re-elected Tom Courtney of Burlington as Democratic whip and Jeff Danielson of Waterloo as Senate president pro-tempore.
Danielson was re-elected to his Senate seat by a slim margin earlier this month, and opponent Walt Rogers has requested a recount.
Also elected as assistant majority leaders Sunday were Bill Dotzler of Waterloo, Amanda Ragan of Mason City, Bill Heckroth of Waverly, Staci Appel of Ackworth, Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City and Jack Hatch of Des Moines.
Charlotte Eby can be reached at 515-243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.
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