House Democrats reelect Rep. Brian Meyer as minority leader

Iowa House Democrats have reelected Rep. Brian Meyer, D-Des Moines, to serve as House minority leader in 2027.

According to a news release, Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously chose to have Meyer continue serving in his current role. Meyer took the position in 2025, after Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, stepped down from the leadership position to pursue a run for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District.

Though Democrats remain a minority in the Iowa House, Meyer will be leading a larger caucus than in previous years. House Democrats gained 11 seats in the 2026 general election — alongside elected 11 more new Democrats serving in seats previously held by Democrats. Once election results are finalized, Republicans are set to hold a 56-44 majority in the Iowa House — a drop from the 66-33 GOP supermajority the party entered Election Day with.

“With 22 new members joining our caucus, I’m excited about the opportunities ahead,” Meyer said in a statement. “With a stronger caucus than we’ve seen in years, we will continue holding the Republican majority accountable while prioritizing efforts to lower costs, make Iowa #1 in education again, and improve life for Iowa families.”

Democrats will also remain the minority party in the Iowa Senate, where Republicans are set to hold a 32-18 majority. Sen. Janice Weiner, D-Iowa City, currently serves as the Senate Democratic Leader, but the chamber’s Democratic caucus has not yet met to elect leaders for the 2027 session.

Republicans elected to keep current leadership in place in caucus elections, with House Speaker Pat Grassley, House Majority Leader Bobby Kaufmann, Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh and Senate President Amy Sinclair keeping their roles in both chambers.

Though leaders — and majorities — are remaining the same from previous years, Gov.-elect Rob Sand’s victory in the 2026 general election broke the Republican trifecta that has held power at the Iowa statehouse for more than a decade. This means when the Iowa General Assembly begins Jan. 11, 2027, lawmakers are set to face their first legislative session with divided government in many years.