Sunday, November 30, 2008

Republicans Pick Up House Seat in District 37

Art Staed (D-Cedar Rapids) lost his bid for reelection as the results of the recount in House District 37 by just 13 votes. Republican Renee Schulte was announced the winner yesterday.

Final results showed Schulte with 8,628 votes and Staed with 8,615 votes, according to Linn County Auditor Joel Miller. The three-member recount board began its work Sunday, Nov. 23 and worked all week, only taking a break for Thanksgiving Day.
Democrats will now hold a 56-44 advantage in the upcoming legislative session. Democrats picked up 6 seats, but but lost 3 seats they previously held, for a net of 3 seats.

6 comments:

desmoinesdem said...

Did a third incumbent lose besides Art Staed and Mark Davitt?

I think the third seat lost was the open seat that used to be held by Swati Dandekar.

noneed4thneed said...

You're right.

Anonymous said...

That stinks. Will Staed try again in 2010 since it was so close?

noneed4thneed said...

Staed lost a close race in 2004 (though it was more than 13 votes) and then ran again in 2006 and won. I could see him run again in 2010. If he doesn't then I bet the seat will be a top target for Democrats.

Anonymous said...

Who beat Davitt?

Anonymous said...

Danielson barely won his senate seat. I think he ended up winning by 22 votes. He will have to probably think more about his district and less about what Sen. Gronstal wants to do if he expects to win again in 4 years.