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Northeast Iowan elected state senate’s majority leader
Republicans in the Iowa Senate have elected Mike Klimesh of Spillville as Senate Majority Leader.
Jack Whitver, who had been Senate Majority Leader in 2018, has been undergoing treatment for a brain tumor and announced last week he was stepping down as leader and will not seek re-election in 2026. Senate Republicans met last night and selected Klimesh to succeed Whitver.
Klimesh was mayor of Spillville for 22 years and has been a state senator since 2011. Klimesh released a written statement last night, saying it’s an honor and a responsibility to serve as majority leader and he’ll work to implement the GOP’s agenda to cut taxes, expand the economy, improve Iowa schools, and make it more affordable to live in Iowa.
Klimesh, who is 56, represents a state senate district that includes Howard, Winneshiek, Allamakee, and Clayton Counties, along with adjacent areas of Fayette and Dubuque Counties. Klimesh is a graduate of South Winneshiek High School and Luther College.
