Mike Zimmer (politician)

• University of Northern Iowa (BA)
• University of Iowa (MA)

Mike Zimmer
Member of the Iowa Senate from the 35th district
Incumbent
Assumed office February 10, 2025

Mike Zimmer (born 1963/1964) ^[1] is an education professional and politician who is currently the Iowa State Senator from the 35th district. A member of the Democratic Party, he defeated Republican Kate Whittington in a special election on January 28, 2025, to serve the remainder of Republican Chris Cournoyer's term.

Early life and career

Zimmer graduated from the North Scott High School and the University of Northern Iowa. He taught, coached, and worked in administrative roles at various schools in eastern Iowa, including at the East Central Community School District, the Central DeWitt Community School District, and the Pleasant Valley High School. ^[2]

Political career

Zimmer has served as the president of the Central DeWitt Community School Board. ^{[2] [3]}

On December 16, 2024, Republican Chris Cournoyer resigned from representing the 35th district in the Iowa Senate to become lieutenant governor of Iowa, replacing Adam Gregg, who had resigned in September. ^[4] Zimmer ran as a Democrat in the special election to fill the seat until the 2026 election. ^{[2] [5]} He defeated Republican candidate Katie Whittington by nearly four points in the general election, flipping the seat to the Democratic Party. ^[6] This was noteworthy, in that Donald Trump won the district by 21 points in the 2024 presidential election. ^[7] He was sworn into office on February 10, 2025. ^[8]

Personal life

Zimmer is married and has five children. ^{[2] [3]}

Electoral history

2025 Iowa's 35th Senate district special election ^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Mike Zimmer	4,812	51.72%
	Republican	Katie Elizabeth Whittington	4,473	48.08%
	Write-in		19	0.20%
Total votes			9,304	100.0%
	Democratic gain from Republican

References

1. Smith, Zachary Oren. "Zimmer flips seat for Democrats in state Senate". iowastartingline.com.
2. Blount, Jenna (January 15, 2025). "Iowa Senate District 35 candidates interviews". Clinton Herald . Retrieved January 29, 2025.
3. Page, Kalia (January 23, 2025). "What you need to know: Iowa Senate District 35 special election". KWQC. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
4. Opsahl, Robin (December 16, 2024). "Sen. Chris Cournoyer appointed Iowa lieutenant governor". Iowa Capital Dispatch . Retrieved December 16, 2024.
5. "What to know ahead of the Iowa Senate District 35 special election". WQAD. January 16, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
6. Pfannenstiel, Brianne (January 28, 2025). "Iowa Democrats flip Senate seat in special election to cut into Republican majority". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
7. Opsahl, Robin (January 29, 2025). "Democrat Mike Zimmer wins Iowa Senate special election". Iowa Capital Dispatch. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
8. Gruber-Miller, Stephen. "Democrat Mike Zimmer sworn into Iowa Senate following surprise special election victory". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
9. "State Senate District 35 - Special Election". Iowa Secretary of State . January 28, 2025. Archived from the original on January 29, 2025. Retrieved January 29, 2025.

External links

• Mike Zimmer at Ballotpedia