Jack Whitver to step aside as leader of Iowa Senate, will not seek re-election in 2026

DES MOINES — Jack Whitver, the Iowa Senate Majority Leader who has been battling a brain tumor for more than a year, will not seek re-election and will step aside as leader, he announced Tuesday.

In a news release, Whitver said he made the decision based on family considerations and his health.

Whitver, who is 45 years old, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in April of 2024. He has continued to serve as Iowa Senate Majority Leader since, including through the 2025 session of the Iowa Legislature.

First elected to the Iowa Senate in 2011, Whitver, a Republican, has been Iowa Senate Majority Leader since 2018.

Whitver is a business owner, lawyer and former Iowa State University football player. For years he lived in Ankeny; in 2022 he claimed a residence in Grimes to run for re-election in a different Iowa Senate district.

“I first started campaigning for the Iowa Senate hours after my oldest daughter was born. I ran because taxes were too high, and I wanted to make it easier to work, start a business and raise a family in Iowa. I believe I have accomplished my goals,” Whitver said in the news release. “I am proud of the work we have accomplished in limiting government, controlling spending, reducing taxes and expanding the rights and freedoms of the people of this great state.

“My oldest daughter is now driving and my three children are very active, making family life busier than ever. I continue to battle a brain tumor and while progress remains positive, I still have a long way to go. My work in the Senate may be coming to a close, but my commitment to making Iowa the best state in the country will always be a part of my life.”

He and his wife Rachel have three children.

Whitver will serve as Majority Leader until Senate Republicans meet “in the near future” to select a new leader, the press release said.

Whitver’s policy achievements a conservative ‘wish list’

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In the news release, Whitver highlighted achievements on both the policy and political side of his job.

On policy, Whitver has led, according to the release, “one of the most conservative, productive and largest majorities in Iowa history.” Iowa Republicans have had complete control of the state lawmaking process — majorities in the Iowa Senate and House along with a Republican governor — for the entirety of Whitver’s tenure as Senate Majority Leader.

The press release highlighted a number of laws passed under that all-Republican control, describing it as “a wish list from conservatives,” including “generational changes” to Iowa’s regulatory structure, incremental state income tax cuts that ended with a 3.8 percent “flat” income tax for most working Iowans, a ban on abortions at roughly six weeks of pregnancy, and a state constitutional amendment that requires any state gun regulations to pass the highest level of legal review — a measure that also required and received the approval of Iowa voters.

Among his political achievements, Whitver highlighted Senate Republicans’ growth from 29 seats when he became Majority Leader to a high of 35 after the 2024 elections.

Whitver’s lawmaking tenure started with special election win

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Whitver was first elected to the Iowa Senate in a special election in 2011. The opening for a seat representing Ankeny was created when former state Sen. Larry Noble was appointed commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

Whitver won re-election to four-year Iowa Senate terms in 2014, 2018 and 2022. After a landslide victory in 2014, Whitver narrowly won re-election in 2018, by just 2.7 percentage points. He claimed the Grimes residence for the 2022 election and won another term by 16.9 points.

Whitver was selected by his Senate Republican colleagues to serve as Senate President in November 2016 — immediately after Republicans gained a majority in the Senate in that election — and as Majority Leader in March of 2018. Whitver was voted Majority Leader to replace former leader Bill Dix, who had resigned after a video surfaced showing Dix kissing a female lobbyist in a Des Moines bar.

Senate Republicans reelected Whitver as Majority Leader after the 2024 elections, roughly a half-year after his brain tumor diagnosis.

Iowa Republicans react to Whitver’s announcement

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Gov. Kim Reynolds, in a lengthy statement, called Whitver’s announcement “both admirable and bittersweet.” She noted Whitver became Majority Leader during the 2018 legislative session, the first of her tenure as governor. (Reynolds became governor in 2017, but after that year’s legislative session.)

“From that moment, I saw in him a partner who did more than guide legislation — he made things happen. Together, our administration and the legislature embarked on one of the most consequential periods in modern Iowa history,” Reynolds said, noting many of the same legislative accomplishments as Whitver.

Reynolds called Whitver, “the most transformative Senate Majority Leader Iowa has seen in the modern era — perhaps ever.”

“Those achievements did not happen by accident. They happened because Jack set a standard: work hard, stay focused on what matters to people, put principle into action, and never stop listening,” Reynolds said. “He has been quietly bold, never seeking credit, but always delivering for Iowans. His influence has reshaped our state and given families more breathing room through tax relief, more confidence through responsible budgeting, and more certainty that their government is working for them — not the other way around.”

Reynolds thanked Whitver for his work and wished him and his family well.

“I join all Iowans in wishing Jack, Rachel, and their children peace, strength, and hope in the days ahead,” Reynolds said. “As you focus on recovery and time together, know that we stand beside you and will continue to carry forward the work you have begun.”

Republican Party of Iowa chairman Jeff Kaufmann, in a statement, called Whitver “a prolific campaigner, a principled legislator, and a conservative voice of reason at the Capitol.”

“Jack Whitver has been a tremendous leader for our party and for the people of Iowa. Under his steady hand, Senate Republicans grew their majority to historic levels, making the Iowa Senate one of the strongest conservative chambers in the nation,” Kaufmann said. “He has helped usher in a new way of governance in Iowa, one that puts taxpayers first and ensures Iowa families come out on top. ...

“Beyond his achievements in politics and policy, Jack is a devoted husband, father, and friend. While his leadership will be missed at the Capitol, I am grateful he will be able to devote more time to his family, and I know his impact on Iowa will continue for years to come.”

Randy Feenstra, a Western Iowa Congressman who previously served with Whitver in the Iowa Senate and is running for governor, issued a statement calling Whitver “a tremendous leader.”

“His record of accomplishment, delivering conservative victories for the people of Iowa is unmatched at the Statehouse,” Feenstra said. “Jack’s leadership will be sorely missed. He is in our prayers as he continues his courageous health battle. Jack’s a winner and I know he has one more victory in him.”

Comments: (515) 355-1300, erin.murphy@thegazette.com

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