The Iowa Senate on a routine session approved a credentials committee report certifying the winner of a recent special election and administered the oath of office to Mike Zimmer.

The action followed a motion by Sen. Zach Whitver (R-Polk) to appoint a five-member committee on credentials pursuant to Iowa Code section 2.5; the senate appointed Sens. Paul Dickey (Jefferson), Jeff Rowley (Dickinson), Nate Salmon (Bremer), Sarah Kornbach (Story) and Joe Townsend (Dubuque) to the committee. The committee read a certificate from Secretary of State Paul Pate stating that, after the state canvassing process, Mike Zimmer was “duly elected” in a special election held Jan. 20, 2025. The full Senate voted to adopt the committee report, and the secretary then read the name of the senator to be sworn.

Following the reading of the certificate, Mike Zimmer took the oath of office administered at the well and was seated as a member of the Senate. The certificate referenced an expiration date of Jan. 1, 2027. The Senate recorded the adoption of the credentials report on the motion presented by Sen. Dickey.

Sen. Zach Whitver later moved that the Senate adjourn; the motion carried and the Senate recessed until Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 9 a.m. Other brief items included a floor announcement about a Council of State Governments Midwest reception and an introduction of Zimmer’s family by Sen. Claire Weiner (Johnson).

Votes at a glance: the Senate approved the appointment of a five-member credentials committee (moved by Sen. Whitver; committee members named on the floor), adopted the credentials committee report certifying Mike Zimmer as the winner of the Jan. 20, 2025 special election (moved by Sen. Dickey), and approved a motion to adjourn until Feb. 11.

Why this matters: the actions filled a Senate vacancy by seating a member certified by the Secretary of State, ending the certification process and ensuring the chamber has the member available for upcoming business.