DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - State Sen. Janet Petersen said Wednesday that she will not seek reelection as Senate minority leader.
Peterson was the first woman to be elected to lead Senate Democrats when she won the post in 2017. She said in a statement that she was asked by several members of her caucus to continue on as leader but she decided against it.
“Election night was rough for Iowa Democrats. Fortunately, Senate Democrats weathered a bad year without losing any ground. The Iowa Statehouse may be dominated by Trump loyalists for now, but I don’t see Iowans putting up with that type of leadership for much longer,” she said.
Senate Democrats retained 18 seats, losing one in southeast Iowa but gaining a Republican seat in a Des Moines suburb.
Republicans continue to hold majorities in the Senate and House.
Petersen won a third four-year Senate term last week, running unopposed in the district representing the northwest side of Des Moines. She previously served six terms in the Iowa House.
Senate Democrats will meet Sunday to select caucus leaders for the coming session, scheduled to begin Jan. 11.
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