Golding wins Iowa Senate nomination

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cindy Golding will carry the Republican banner into a Nov. 8 special election that could change the balance of power in the Iowa Senate.

Golding won the nomination Sept. 22 with 51.64 percent of the vote on the first ballot over former U.S. Attorney Matt Dummermuth, and Marion businesswoman Mary Rathje.

Golding now faces Democrat Liz Mathis of Robins, a former TV anchorwoman and now chief information officer for a Cedar Rapids non-profit. Mathis, who is the Linn County Democratic Party's handpicked candidate, is expected to be formally nominated by Democrats on Sept. 28.

“This is just the beginning,” Golding said after winning the nomination. “It won't be easy. (Mathis) is a formidable opponent.”

Both Mathis and Golding are first-time candidates.

The winner will fill a vacancy created by

the resignation of Swati Dandekar, a Marion Democrat, who accepted Republican Gov. Terry Branstad's appointment to the Iowa Utilities Board.