Iowa Republicans re-elect leaders

DES MOINES - Republican leadership in the Iowa Legislature remains largely unchanged heading into the 2015 session.

House Speaker Kraig Paulsen of Hiawatha and House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake were re-elected Monday to two-year terms, as was Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix of Shell Rock.

Republicans hold the majority in the Iowa House and are in the minority in the Iowa Senate.

Paulsen has served as House speaker for four years. Previously, he served as minority whip and House Republican leader.

'House Republicans are ready to get to work on behalf of Iowa families and taxpayers,” Paulsen said in a news release. 'We'll use a common sense approach to get things done while continuing to find opportunities to make Iowans' family life more affordable, upward mobility more likely and employment easier to find.”

Upmeyer has served as majority leader for four years and previously served as minority whip.

Rep. Matt Windschitl of Missouri Valley was re-elected as speaker pro tem, and Rep. Chris Hagenow of Windsor Heights was re-elected majority whip.

Reps. Lee Hein of Monticello, Walt Rogers of Cedar Falls, Jarad Klein of Keota and Joel Fry of Osceola were re-elected to assistant leader positions.

Dix has served as Senate Republican leader for two years.

'I am honored to have the continued support of our Senate Republican caucus,” Dix said in a release. 'Senate Republicans will remain steadfast in fighting for fiscal responsibility, expanding new career opportunities and creating a legacy of opportunity for all Iowans.”

Sen. Jack Whitver of Ankeny was re-elected as Senate Republican whip. Sens. Randy Feenstra of Hull and Tim Kapucian of Keystone were re-elected to assistant leader positions. They are joined on the leadership team by Sens. Rick Bertrand of Sioux City, Dan Zumbach of Ryan and Charles Schneider of West Des Moines.

The Legislature convenes Jan. 12, 2015.