Challenge to GOP leadership in Senate fizzles

DES MOINES – Sen. Bill Dix, R-Shell Rock, canceled the morning caucus meeting he called to challenge Sen. Paul McKinley of Chariton for Republican leadership in the Iowa Senate.

“My guess is he didn't have the votes,” said Jack Hatch, a Des Moines Democrat who had come to the Statehouse on Thursday to find out what would transpire.

Democrats control the Iowa Senate 26-24, but that could change on Nov. 8 when a special election is held in the 18th District to replace Democrat Swati Dandekar. She left her seat to become a member of the Iowa Utilities Board.

Dix called the meeting earlier this week for 10 a.m. today. McKinley is on vacation in Italy with his wife. In his note to Republican senators, Dix said he wanted to strategize for the race in the 18th District and that he had planned to call for a leadership vote.

“As Senate Republicans we need to concentrate on making sure the Senate goes 25-25,” said Sen. James Seymour, R-Woodbine, who was in Des Moines today after missing the message that the meeting had been canceled. “After that, we can talk about this other stuff.”

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