Iowa Republican lawmakers have reelected Sen. Jack Whitver as Senate majority leader and Rep. Pat Grassley as House speaker, they announced Tuesday.

Republicans expanded their majorities in last week’s election and are set to enter the 2025 legislative session with a 67-33 majority in the Iowa House and a 35-15 advantage in the Iowa Senate, if results hold. A few races could see recounts.

A 67-member Republican supermajority will be the largest majority the party has held in the Iowa House since 1970. The 35-seat Senate supermajority is also the largest since 1970.

More: Republicans expand majorities in Iowa Legislature to historic levels after strong election

Whitver, of Grimes, has led Senate Republicans as majority leader since 2018.

Grassley, of New Hartford, has led House Republicans as speaker since 2019.

Senate Republicans keep Jack Whitver as majority leader, Amy Sinclair as president

In a statement, Whitver called his reelection as majority leader “an honor.”

“I am proud of our accomplishments like implementing a flat income tax, eliminating the tax on retirement income, fighting off excessive spending and providing law enforcement the legal protection and equipment they need to safely do their jobs,” he said. “I look forward to working on important issues facing our state like lowering the cost of living and easing the property tax burden.”

Whitver announced in May that he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and was receiving radiation therapy. A statement from Senate Republicans on Tuesday said Whitver began drug therapy following his radiation treatment. He “is responding well to the treatments and continues to see forward progress,” the statement says.

“Multiple recent scans this fall have shown a steady and continued reduction in the size of the tumor, many of his symptoms have improved and optimism abounds about his recovery,” the statement says.

Whitver was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2011 and previously served as Republican whip, and Senate president.

Also on Tuesday, Senate Republicans reelected Sen. Amy Sinclair, R-Allerton, as president of the Iowa Senate. Sinclair has held the post since November 2022. She was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2013 and has served as majority whip and chair of the Education Committee.

“It is humbling to be chosen to serve another term as president of the Iowa Senate,” Sinclair said in a statement. “I look forward to working together with our even larger supermajority to continue implementing pro-growth, pro-taxpayer, pro-family policies to make Iowa the best state in the country.”

Senate Republicans also elected. Sen. Ken Rozenboom, R-Pella, to serve as president pro tempore of the Iowa Senate, replacing Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, who lost to Democrat Matt Blake in last week’s election.

Rozenboom was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2012. For the past two years he has chaired the Senate Education Committee, leading passage of high-profile laws including Gov. Kim Reynolds’ private school education savings accounts program and a law banning books depicting sex acts from schools and banning teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation in kindergarten through sixth grade.

And Senate Republicans chose Sen. Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville, to serve as majority whip, replacing former Sen. Waylon Brown, R-Osage, who resigned in July to take a private sector job. Klimesh was first elected to the Senate in 2020 and has chaired the Transportation Committee for the past two years.

Sens. Carrie Koelker, R-Dyersville, Adrian Dickey, R-Packwood, Lynn Evans, R-Aurelia; and Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge, were elected assistant majority leaders.

House Republicans keep Pat Grassley as speaker, Matt Windschitl as majority leader

In a statement, Grassley touted the fact that House Republicans protected every incumbent running for reelection and flipped three Democratic-held seats to increase their majority to 67 seats.

“Since Republicans became the majority party in the Iowa House in 2011, we introduced sound budgeting practices, reduced burdensome red tape, innovated new ways to grow a strong workforce and kept our common sense on social issues,” Grassley said. “In response to our agenda, Iowa voters have continued to grow our majority.”

Grassley was first elected to the Iowa House in 2006 and previously chaired the Appropriations, Agriculture and Economic Growth committees.

House Republicans also reelected Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, as majority leader, a post he has held since 2019.

“The message we received from Iowans this election cycle is loud and clear,” Windschitl said in a statement. “Iowans support our agenda to protect their freedoms, lower their taxes, eliminate government waste and fight for the return to common sense. Iowans know they can trust this caucus to deliver on the promises we make. And we are ready to get back to work for our constituents.”

Rep. John Wills, R-Spirit Lake, was reelected as speaker pro tempore of the Iowa House, a position he’s held since 2019.

And House Republicans reelected Rep. Henry Stone, R-Forest City, as majority whip.

On Saturday, House Democrats reelected Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, as minority leader. Konfrst has led House Democrats since 2021.

Senate Democrats will need to choose a new minority leader after Sen. Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, retires at the end of the year. But they have not yet held leadership elections as they await the possibility of recounts in a few close races.

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

It was business as usual for the Iowa State men’s basketball team Monday night, as the Cyclones remained perfect with an 82-56 victory over Kansas City. The game took place from Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.

For Iowa State (2-0) head coach TJ Otzelberger, it represented another opportunity for his team to gain more valuable minutes together on the court. Even with a veteran roster back for the seventh-ranked Cyclones, kinks still need to be worked out.

Iowa State broke the game with UMKC open thanks to a 34-18 run in the first half. The Cyclone defense held the Roos to just 1 of 11 shooting from the floor. 

Curtis Jones came off the bench to lead ISU in scoring with 20 points, adding five assists and five rebounds. Jones knocked down 7 of 11 shots and had 16 of his 20 over the final half of play.

Keshon Gilbert dished out 10 assists, Milan Momcilovic had 16 points and Dishon Jackson added 13 points with six rebounds. The Cyclones held the preseason Summit League favorites well below their season scoring average while dominating the glass with a plus-10 advantage and recording 21 assists on 30 made field goals.

Here is what Otzelberger had to say after the game:

“I liked his urgency right away,” Otzelberger said. “His feet were set and he was hunting. From my vantage point, the more he can hunt, the better we will be. We need him to continue to hunt and encourage him to hunt. He needs to hunt, catch-and-shoot, attack, use his floater and turnaround jump shot, and get to the foul line. We want him to be as efficient as we know he can.”

“He’s improved a lot on defense,” Otzelberger said. “More of a commitment on glass, finishing possessions. I’m proud to see him make those plays and he had good energy out there.”

“I thought they both played great and we are just tring to get everybody to play to their strengths,” Otzelberger said. “We want them at the best of their abilities. I look at it like we have six starters and four guards that all return are all starters to me. The minutes need to reflect that more than who we call out for the start.”

“Curt was electric for us,” Otzelberger said. “It was important to have that spark. It helps to have somebody who can come in and do that. It was great to have him give us that spark off the bench. He was more of a playmaker with five assists.”

“It’s better,” he said. “We’re still working on getting that rhythm. Guys are starting to realize what they can do. We need to continue to have better ball movement. We have a lot of scoring options out there and could have six guys approach double figures in scoring. We need to get the best shot for our team.”

CEDAR FALLS — There’s a good amount to be excited about for Northern Iowa wrestling fans.

Nine of the 10 postseason starters for the Panthers return after UNI finished in 14th at the NCAA Championships, one place behind the program’s best all-time finish under Doug Schwab. Perhaps even more uplifting, the squad returns all seven of its NCAA qualifiers, including reigning 184-pound national champion Parker Keckeisen.

At media day Monday afternoon, reporters got the chance to catch up with the coaching staff and wrestlers. Here are the biggest takeaways ahead of their season, which begins Saturday at the Grand View Open in Grimes.

1. Northern Iowa’s culture keeps roster intact

Northern Iowa had no transfers off its roster and no transfers into its roster in the offseason. Only Tyrell Gordon graduated from last season’s team. Not many programs can say that, especially at the Division I level.

“Everyone gets this now, there’s no kids out there, no one is loyal anymore… come to my team, want to go down my roster,” Schwab said. “We got loyal men who are bought in and believe in something bigger than themselves. That’s why we didn’t have anybody leave last year.”

In an age where guys transfer in and out and flip commitments more than ever, the Panthers’ loyalty is evident in words and actions. Perhaps none more so than Keckeisen, who Schwab says could have had every opportunity to find a new home if he wanted it. For Keckeisen, however, the level of care from the staff is greater than any other opportunity he might have elsewhere.

“Whether it’s girlfriend things, life things or your car broke down, they’re going to be there for you,” Keckeisen said. “They’re more than just coaches. You can’t put a price tag on that.”

Given the amount of individual success the Panthers had last season, whether it be Big 12 Champion Ryder Downey as a freshman or Jared Simma’s incredible run to the NCAA quarterfinals, many of UNI’s wrestlers could have fetched a hefty price tag.

The reason they all stayed is the level of care and investment from coaches that has kept the roster intact in what is a free-flowing, increasingly transactional world.

2. Parker Keckeisen ready for matchup with Carter Starocci

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UNI’s Parker Keckeisen discusses matchup with Carter Starocci

Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen discusses matchup with Carter Starocci, season ahead

After securing bonus-point victories in each of his matches at NCAAs and going undefeated on his way to a national title, Keckeisen will face the toughest test of his career this year. Penn State’s Carter Starocci, a four-time NCAA champ, makes his way to 184 pounds.

Keckeisen will wrestle him in an exhibition Saturday at the NWCA All-Star Classic. It seems like an inevitability, as well, that they will meet in the NCAA Finals in March.

While some could pout or avoid that challenge, Keckeisen is relishing the chance to compete.

“He’s one of the best wrestlers in the country… in the world,” Keckeisen said. “I think I’m up there, but an opportunity to test your skills against one of the best guys in the country, you got to take that opportunity.”

This undoubtedly is the best matchup of the year across college wrestling, and will likely determine the Dan Hodge Trophy winner.

3. Colin Realbuto embracing fatherhood, final season at UNI

There will be a couple of changes in the lineup, with Lance Runyon going to heavyweight and Colin Realbuto returning from an Olympic redshirt.

The biggest life-altering change, however, is that Realbuto became a father this offseason.

Wrestling at a series in Croatia as a warmup to the Olympic Trials Qualifier, Realbuto tore his ACL and knew he’d miss his chance to compete for Italy at the Olympics. While he sulked in a hotel room, he got a FaceTime call from his fiancé, Meredith, with a positive pregnancy test.

Now, Realbuto comes into the season with a bigger purpose: wrestling for his daughter, Georgia, and having a blast with her in his final season. That opportunity, while tough, is something he thanks his fiancé for ahead of what should be a strong season for the 149-pounder when he returns from injury.

“It’s been awesome, mostly because Meredith’s been a freaking trooper,” Realbuto said. “She’s taking the brunt of it. I got to give her credit because I’m gone all day at practice and at class, so I can’t do much during the day. She’s got no complaints, just taking it on. I really appreciate that, because without that, I wouldn’t be able to put as much time in on the wrestling mat and in class as I am now.”

Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.