Governor Brandstad appointed a Democratic member of the senate to the Iowa Utilities Board setting up a special election for her senate seat in a Republican majority.
Governor Brandstad appointed a Utilities Board today, creating a vacancy in the senate and giving Republicans a shot at getting a same sex marriage ban on the ballot. The election will be held November 8. The district, located in Linn County has more Republican voters than Democrats. If a Republican wins that district the senate would be tied. This would give the Republicans a chance to get a vote on same sex marriage. Enough Democrats had previously supported the measure that it would have a very good chance of passing (it already passed the house). It had only been previously stopped due to the perogative of Senate Leader Mike Gronstal. However, if power is shared a vote could be forced.
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