With news that Iowa Senator Swati Dandekar is set to resign to take up a governor-appointed position on the Iowa Utilities Board and the possibility of a special election looming, marriage equality advocates are concerned there is potential for Republicans to chip away at the slim Democratic majority in Iowa’s upper chamber and pass a constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters, would ban same-sex marriage.
Dandekar represents the highly competitive Senate District 18 where registration data shows that Republicans narrowly outnumber Democrats 15,945 to 15,752. The district is also represented by two Republican Representatives.
Republicans are quietly confident that they could flip control in the Senate regardless of this, but their chances of securing Dandekar’s seat could be bolstered by the active campaigns of Republican presidential hopefuls. Moreover, the Democratic party reportedly has no immediate candidate for the seat. As such, they’ve already issued a call for help.
Click here for gay wedding resources in Iowa.
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