Iowa state Sen. Claire Celsi of West Des Moines dies at 59

DES MOINES — Democratic Iowa state Sen. Claire Celsi, of West Des Moines, died Monday, after spending weeks in hospice care, her daughter confirmed in a social media post.

Celsi, who was 59, entered hospice care on Sept. 18, according to her family. She missed a portion of the 2025 legislative session due to an undisclosed ailment but returned near the session's conclusion after undergoing surgery in April.

Celsi, a Des Moines native, represented Iowa Senate District 16, which covers parts of Clive, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights, since 2023. Before redistricting, she represented Iowa Senate District 21, starting in 2019. Celsi served as the ranking member on the Iowa Senate Government Oversight Committee since 2021 and as Senate Democrat Assistant leader in 2024.

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Celsi owned a consulting firm. She is survived by two daughters and two grandchildren.

Monday evening, Iowa legislative leaders and lawmakers expressed their condolences for Celsi’s family and reflected on her time in elected office.

Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner, a Democrat from Iowa City, said she admired Celsi’s “perseverance and determination to continue to serve her constituents,” including during the last day of the 2025 legislative session, which lasted for more than 20 hours.

“I cannot begin to express how deeply saddened I am by the passing of our senate colleague and my good friend Claire Celsi,” Weiner said in a statement. “In her private and public life, Senator Celsi was a fearless advocate and truthteller for women, the elderly, and public education. Improving the quality of life for Iowans in nursing homes became her signature issue. Claire was an advocate for the vulnerable and voice for the voiceless, representing thousands of Iowans who felt forgotten by the political process. She often told me it was both her honor and her passion to serve in the Iowa Senate.”

House Minority Leader Brian Meyer, a Democrat from Des Moines, referred to Celsi as a “public servant who worked tirelessly for the people of her district and the state of Iowa.”

“As we mourn the loss of a dedicated leader, we also resolve to carry forward the causes she held dear,” Meyer said in a statement. “Our hearts and deepest sympathies are with her family, friends, and all whose lives she touched.”

Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds extended prayers to Celsi’s family.

“Kevin and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Iowa State Senator Claire Celsi,” Reynolds said in a statement. “Claire was an impassioned voice for Central Iowa constituents and advocated on their behalf for several years in the (Statehouse). Even while privately battling illness, Claire made it a point to return to her post during this year’s legislative session and stand for her beliefs.”

Iowa Republican legislative leaders also offered their condolences to Celsi’s family, including Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh, of Spillville.

“Senator Claire Celsi was a dedicated public servant, a passionate advocate of her beliefs, and worked hard to represent the constituents of her district,” Klimesh said in a statement. “Along with the passing of Senator Rocky De Witt, this year has seen too much loss in the Iowa Senate. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and loved ones as they face this terrible loss.”

Iowa Senate President Amy Sinclair, of Allerton, said Celsi’s death “while not unexpected, is no less heartbreaking.”

“I appreciate her (Celsi’s) willingness to serve our state and her dedication to her constituents,” Sinclair said. “My thoughts and prayers are with Claire’s friends and family.”

Celsi is the third Iowa state lawmaker to die in office this year. In January, Republican Rep. Martin Graber of Fort Madison died after a sudden heart attack. Rocky De Witt, a Republican state senator from Sioux City, died in June after battling pancreatic cancer.

The special election to fill Celsi’s seat will be the sixth one in Iowa this year. Reynolds has not yet set a date for the special election.