When the Iowa Senate gavels in for the 90th Iowa General Assembly on Monday, one political party will have a greater advantage than the other.

The Senate Republicans picked up a few more seats this past general election and now have a supermajority. District 24 Senator Jesse Green (R-Boone) explains the benefit with Republicans having a supermajority in the Senate is confirming the governor’s appointees.

“Before we would have to get Democrat support for some of these governor appointee positions and now we can get these appointees through if we, as a (Republican) caucus, agree to it.”  

Another shake up is in the Republican Senate leadership. Senator Jake Chapman was the Iowa Senate President this last legislative session and was recently defeated by Democrat Senator Sarah Trone-Garriott, which means the Republicans needed to elect a new senate president. Green says Senator Amy Sinclair was elected to that position.

“She’s more than qualified. She basically had unanimous support. She’s just shown how capable she is. And so we are all proud to have her as our new senate president and we will continue forward strong.”

Finally, Green is serving on four committees in the Senate, including being the chair of local government, as well as serving on the appropriations, natural resources and agriculture committees. The 90th Iowa General Assembly will convene on Monday, January 9th. Raccoon Valley Radio will continue to interview the state representatives and senators throughout the legislative session.