GOP gets Wiped Out in Shock Election Loss in Iowa!!

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: GOP gets Wiped Out in Shock Election Loss in Iowa!!

Date: December 31, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

---

Episode Overview

This episode centers on a seismic Democratic victory in Iowa’s State Senate District 16, where Renee Hardman’s landslide win signals a sustained trend of Democratic overperformance in historically Republican strongholds. The brothers delve into why Democrats are succeeding in these special elections, the kitchen-table issues driving their campaigns, and what this portends for the 2026 cycle. The conversation includes firsthand remarks from victorious Democrats and a critical look at the GOP’s faltering strategy, marked by divisive culture wars and unpopular stances on healthcare and rights.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historic Win in Iowa’s Senate District 16

• Renee Hardman (D) wins with 71.5%, defeating MAGA Republican Lucas Lofton by 43 points.
  • The district saw a 27-point swing toward Democrats since 2024.
  • Hardman’s win prevents a GOP supermajority and marks her as the first Black woman ever elected to the Iowa State Senate.
  • Quote: “Hardman's victory has major implications in the legislature... It blocks a GOP supermajority and it makes history as the first black woman elected to the Iowa State Senate.” (Host, 00:26)

2. Context of Democratic Momentum in Iowa

• Recap of other big wins:
  • Mike Zimmer flipped a Trump +21 district in January.
  • Caitlin Dre flipped Senate District 1 (Trump +11.5) in August.
  • A Kentucky Senate seat, a Tennessee special, and overperformances in New Jersey and Virginia add to national gains.
  • Democrats have "flipped 25 GOP held state legislative seats, whereas Republicans flipped 0 Democratic held seats” in 2025. (Host, 03:53)
• Theme: Democrats dramatically outperform “kitchen table” issues; Republicans double down on culture war distractions.

3. The Democratic Playbook: Kitchen Table Issues

• Renee Hardman’s platform focus:
  • Affordability
  • Healthcare access & affordability
  • Housing
  • Childcare
  • Public education
  • Government transparency
  • Inclusion, empathy, and diversity in West Des Moines
• Quote (Hardman):

  “I'm going to be authentically Renee... making sure there's transparency in state government, that we have affordable health care, we have affordable housing, child care, all the needs that affect how people live day to day.” (04:52) “I fight the good fight. I'm not afraid to speak truth to power…” (05:14)

4. Grassroots Campaign Success – Mike Zimmer

• Zimmer ran a grassroots, back-to-basics campaign,
  • Door knocking, phone calls, postcard writing.
• Quote (Zimmer):

  “It was just back to basics. It was door knocking, it was phone calls, it was postcard writing. And then every opportunity... to answer questions from local newspapers... I took advantage of those.” (06:38)

5. Foil: The GOP's Culture War Stumbles

• Republicans like Senator Joni Ernst and Representative Ashley Hinson characterized as out-of-touch and callous toward critical issues like healthcare.
• Notable “outrage” and laughter at the GOP’s communications:
  • Ashley Hinson’s town hall: “We all are going to die. For heaven sakes, folks.” (Ashley Hinson, 09:04)
  • Ben Meiselas riffs:

    “That's what the Republican platform is. You're going to die no matter what. Someday you will die. So, let's kill you sooner.” (Host, 08:32)

• The hosts mock GOP’s fixation on “bathrooms” and culture war issues, contrasting it with Democrats’ substantive concerns.

6. Looking Ahead: The US Senate Race

• Sen. Joni Ernst to resign at term’s end; Ashley Hinson becomes frontrunner for GOP nomination, running heavily on Trump loyalty and anti-immigrant rhetoric.
  • Hinson claims:

    “President Trump is delivering for us … He is helping deport criminal illegal aliens rather than letting them roam our streets freely. He's unleashing America.” (11:34)

• Democratic contenders:
  • Zach Walls and Josh Turek, both dynamic, focusing on inclusion, healthcare, and rural outreach.
  • Turek’s grassroots “blueprint”:

    “...hard work, grit, determination. I went out every day … knocking doors, dragging my wheelchair up… having face to face conversations … talking about kitchen table issues.” (Turek, 14:25) “I’m not going to vote for every Democrat, but I’m going to vote for you because I like the kind of Democrat that you are.” (Turek, 15:15)

7. National Implications & Next Steps

• Zach Walls’ analysis:

  “Democrats have won another special election with a 20 plus point overperformance... That’s five 20 point overperformances relative to 2024 ... Iowa is squarely in play when we get to 2026. If you've been looking for your sign to know that Iowa is in play this next year, this is it.” (Walls, 15:37)

• Ben Meiselas sums up the moment:

  “At the end of the day, Democrats are talking about affordability, making people's lives better, protecting healthcare...[while] MAGA wants to divide with their culture wars.” (Host, 17:04)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On what Democrats are running on:

  “Renee Hardman has always been someone who's talked about making West Des Moines... a more inclusive place, bringing people together... openness, diversity, inclusion, empathy, love, fighting for people, good health, good wages, good jobs, safe roads, like, like the things that people are actually talking about.”
  — Host (03:39)

• GOP’s “You're going to die” Platform:

  “Who cares if we take away your healthcare? You are going to die no matter what, so let us make you die sooner.”
  — Host (08:17) “We all are going to die. For heaven sakes, folks.”
  — Rep. Ashley Hinson (09:04)

• Josh Turek’s door-to-door story:

  “The very first thing they would say is how in the world did you get up here? And I would say, I crawled up here, I dragged my wheelchair up... that’s how important it is to have a conversation with you.” (14:44)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Iowa Senate 16 Election Results & Analysis: 00:00–04:10
• Renee Hardman on her platform: 04:46–05:24
• Mike Zimmer on grassroots campaign: 05:46–07:24
• Democratic flips & 2025 trends: 03:53–04:30
• Joni Ernst & GOP healthcare attitude: 08:32–09:10
• Ashley Hinson’s Town Hall (callous quote): 09:10–09:22
• Ashley Hinson’s campaign platform speech: 11:08–12:08
• Josh Turek on winning red districts & campaign blueprint: 13:28–15:22
• Zach Walls on Iowa’s Democratic surge: 15:32–16:32
• Wrap-up and Closing Analysis: 16:32–18:19

---

Tone and Language

The episode maintains a sharp, humorous, and unapologetically pro-democracy tone. The hosts blend deep concern for policy, biting satire of GOP positions, and an uplifting focus on grassroots success. Direct speaker quotes keep the passionate energy, and the narrative flows naturally from the electoral news into its broader political implications.

---

Conclusion

This episode is both a celebration of a historic Iowa Democratic win and a strategic roadmap for future contests. The Meiselas brothers underscore the power of candidates who focus on universal, “kitchen table” issues and connect at the grassroots—contrasting it with Republicans’ alienating, out-of-touch rhetoric. The Democratic surge in Iowa, detailed through winning strategies and moving personal stories, signals that even traditional GOP strongholds may be “in play” for 2026.

---

Transcript

[Host/Narrator]

Republicans just got wiped out yet again in another special election in Iowa. MAGA Republicans are getting crushed in Iowa. A Democrat by the name of Renee Hardman will go on to win Iowa State Senate District Seat 16 with 71.5% of the vote. She won by 43 points in this race against the MAGA Republican candidate winning Lucas Lofton. This is a 27 point Democrat over performance from 2024. Kamala Harris won this district by 16. Now Hardman's victory has major implications in the legislature as well. It blocks a GOP super majority and it makes history as the first black woman elected to the Iowa State Senate. Now this follows other big Democratic wins at during special election. You will recall back in January Mike Zimmer flipped a plus 21 Donald Trump seat and Zimmer went on to win that special election. That was a flip. Then there was another flip. You'll recall back a few months ago where Democrat Caitlin Dre flipped Iowa's Senate District 1, a district that Donald Trump won by 11.5 points. In 2024 she defeated Republican Chr. Christopher Pro in a landslide special election, breaking the GOP super majority there. It wasn't even close. And now you had to have this Democratic hold for the Senate District Seat 16 and the Democrat over performed by 43 points. Let's dig into it deeper. By the way, this is a photo right here of Renee Hardman who won this special election. Here's how the Hill reports it. Hardman is a West Des Moines Mayor pro temp. She defeated Republican Lucas Lofton to fill the seat that has been vacant since State Senator Claire Selsey died in October. With Hardman's win, Iowa Democrats are closing out the year strong. Back in January, Democrat Mike Zimmer flipped the Iowa State Senate district that had overwhelmingly voted for Trump in 2024. Back in August, Caitlin Dray flipped another open state Senate seat breaking the GOP super majority. Then her win is also the last in a string of notable victories for the party nationwide. Democrats most recently saw success in a special election for a state Senate seat in Kentucky. Prior to that, the party overperformed in a special election in Tennessee and Democrats had a better than expected election in November. I blew Tsunami when they overwhelmingly won the governor's mansions in New Jersey and Virginia, the mayor's office in New York City and a number of other notable down ballot races. Take a look at this chart that Chris Cilliza previously posted so far. In 2025 Democrats flipped 25 GOP held state legislative seats, 25 flips for the Democrats, whereas Republicans flipped 0 Democratic held seats. This is via the down ballot. Let's dig deeper now. What do you think that the Democratic victor, Renee Hardman, was running on kitchen table issues. Okay. She was running on issues of affordability. She was running on issues of healthcare. She was running on issues that matter to the American people. While the mag as they're talking about bathrooms and pee pees and duties and vaginas and what and this bathroom and that bathroom and trans this and da da da da da. And trying to harm marginalized communities. Renee Hardman has always been someone who's talked about baking West Des Moines just in general, a more inclusive place, bringing people together, attracting visitors, openness, diversity, inclusion, empathy, love, fighting for people, good health, good wages, good jobs, safe roads, like, like the things that people are actually talking about. Let me share with you this clip right here. Here is a video of Renee Hardman when she was a West Des Moines city councilwoman. And here she is talking about just her platform in general and the types of things that she focuses on. Here, play this clip.

[Renee Hardman]

How do we create a state that allows fol to thrive and live, earn good livable wages, provide for their families and protect public education? I'm just going to go up there and I'm going to be authentically Renee, you know, making sure there's transparency in state government, that we have affordable health care, we have affordable housing, child care, all the needs that affect how people live day to day. That's what they're most interested in trying to preserve and to protect. I fight the good fight. I'm not afraid to speak truth to power, even if there's others that feel differently. And that's what I'm going to bring to the district and to the state of Iowa.

[Host/Narrator]

I hope now I'll share with you. When Mike zimmer flipped that plus 21 Trump seat, here's what he was talking about, what his focus was. This interview was back in February, but he flipped that seat at the end of January. Remember, we were covering it here on the Midas Touch Network and we said pay attention to what's going on in Iowa. Here, play this clip right here.

[Interviewer]

But in Iowa, Mike Zimmer asked voters if they wanted better public schools for his community. Voters said yes. So joining us now is the former teacher, coach, principal, school board president and Iowa state senator elect Mike Zimmer. He will be sworn in on Monday. Mike, welcome to the show. Congratulations on your victory and thank you for joining us tonight.

[Mike Zimmer]

Ali, thanks for having me on.

[Interviewer]

Pretty back to Basics campaign. You were talking to people about what you believed they cared about most and something you had experience in. Tell me a bit about how this campaign went, considering that it was in the shadow of the sort of one of the most important campaigns we've ever seen in this country.

[Mike Zimmer]

Well, it's always interesting to run a campaign in Iowa in the middle of the winter, in January, when it's 10 degrees out. But we, when we made the decision to run, we had a lot of support. And quite frankly, I had no idea how to run a campaign. And without the support of the Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart and Minority Senate Leader Janice Weiner, they sent over some support. Tyler Reddenbaugh basically coordinated the campaign. And it was just back to basics. It was door knocking, it was phone calls, it was postcard writing. And then every opportunity that I had to answer questions from our local newspapers or to conduct interviews with their local television stations, I took advantage of those.

[Host/Narrator]

Now, I want to also point out that the Democrats have two really incredible candidates who are running to become the next United States senior senators from Iowa. I want to remind you of this race because you have MAGA Republican Senator Joanie Ernst, MAGA through and through. Remember the lady who said, who cares if we take away your Medicaid and Medicare and Affordable Care Act? Who cares if we take away your healthcare? You are going to die no matter what, so let us make you die sooner. That's what MAGA Republicans, when they're not talking about peepees and vaginas and, and duties and whatever, they're talking bathrooms and whatever the hell they want to talk about eating your dogs and cats, right? When they want to distract and divide us and try to make us weaker, when we're not shoulder to shoulder, that's what MAG is. She was up there at a town hall. Remember this town hall back on May 30, 2025. Thereafter, she announced that she would be resigning after her term ends. She's no longer going to be a United States Senator. But this is the Republican platform in Iowa, y'.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

All.

[Host/Narrator]

And it is. You're going to die no matter what. Someday you will die. So let's kill you sooner. That's what the Republican platform is. Play this clip.

[Ashley Hinson]

So when you are arguing, when you are arguing about illegals that are receiving Medicaid benefits, 1.4 million, 1.4. They're not, they are not eligible. So they will be coming off. So we people are not well, we all are going to die. For heaven sakes, folks.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Okay, True self reliance Starts with taking control of your own health. Amore Colostrum is nature's original solution. Colostrum is packed with over 400 bioactive nutrients that fortify gut health and strengthen immune health to build resilience at the cellular level. Because when you invest in your health, you invest in your ability to show up, think clearly and stay in control no matter what life throws your way. Today's environment is filled with toxins, processed foods, modern stressors and immune disruptors. Nourish your microbiome and strengthen your barriers to support your immune health. Amara Colostrum is your secret to feeling strong, vibrant and confident. Again, not seeing results with your current routine. Colostrum is packed with 400 plus bioactive nutrients that work like a blueprint for your body, promoting your cell's natural renewal processes to support skin, hair, gut health, metabolism, immune health, lean muscle and whole body vitality. Strengthen your gut integrity and support healthy fat metabolism. To empower your body with the blueprint to revitalize health from the inside out. We've worked out a special offer for my audience. Receive 30% off your first subscription order. Go to armor.com Midas or enter Midas to get 30% off your first subscription. That's a R M R A.com Midas.

[Host/Narrator]

So who's filling in for Joni Ernst, who is the lead candidate for the Republican Senate? Uh, this, that, that seat. Who's the Republican? Pick someone by the name of Ashley Hinson. She's maga. Maga maga through and through. And here, this was the town hall with Ashley Hinson where the crowd booze her. This was at ra. Her town hall, by the way, around the same time as Joni Ernst did her town hall. Ashley Hinson, who's now the lead Republican running for the United States Senate, said the following. Let's pull up this clip right here.

[Ashley Hinson]

The election, I think Americans overwhelmingly rejected the status quo for the country. We were seeing an open border, high inflation. We were seeing hardworking men and women in Iowa and our country feel like their voices are were not heard. Families in Iowa have told me for the last four years that we want to make sure we have safe streets, we have affordable groceries and gas, and that kids have opportunity to be able to live out the American dream. And that is what President Trump is delivering for us. And the President is, I believe, fighting for you and fighting for me and fighting alongside of him. And I think God saved President Trump's life in Butler. I think he saved his life in Butler, Pennsylvania for a reason. I think that he is helping us to save and redirect the future of our country. He is helping deport criminal illegal aliens rather than letting them roam our streets freely. He is ending the abuses of taxpayer dollars rather than treating your money like Monopoly money. And he's unleashing America.

[Host/Narrator]

Now, as I mentioned, the Democrats have two incredible candidates going head to head in the primary. And this is one where it's going to be a tough one because one of these great candidates is going to win, another one's going to lose. And they both, to me, are incredible people. You've got a guy by the name of Zach Walls, and you've got a guy by the name of Josh Turek. And both of these people, in my opinion, if they, no matter who wins the Democratic primary, I think either of them have a good shot of beating Ashley Hinson, especially with what we see happening, um, with these special election races. So here's a photo right here of Josh Turek. Uh, this was on election day yesterday. It's election day, Iowa. If you live In Senate District 16, don't forget to cast your ballot today for Renee Hardman. We need her energy and commitment for delivering for Iowans in Des Moines. Um, here's what Josh Turek said. Earlier this year, Iowans broke the GOP super majority, and tonight we proved we aren't giving it back. Congratulations to my friend and our new state Senator Hardman for Iowa. Iowans are fired up and ready for change. There's no denying Iowa is in play. I had the opportunity to interview Josh Turek. Here's what he told me about his Senate run. Here, play this clip.

[Josh Turek]

Hello, my friend. And, and, and thank you for having me. I love seeing that video. It's a, it's even inspiring me. I'm Iowa State Representative Josh Turek. As the video said, born with spina bifida, 21 surgeries by the age of 12, gone on to play in four Paralympic Games, won two gold medals representing my country, been the director of a nonprofit organization where we provide free summer camps to disabled kids, and ran originally for my race because of what privatized Medicaid was doing in Iowa to the disabled population and representing the reddest part of the state that any Democrat has been able to win in.

[Host/Narrator]

Well, Josh, tell us first about how you won in that area because it does provide, pun intended, a blueprint for what you can do nationwide. So how'd you do? How did you win that House seat originally when no one said that was possible?

[Josh Turek]

Love that. It is the blueprint and the blueprint is hard work, grit, determination. It was. I went out every single day from June all the way until November, crawling those stairs, knocking doors, dragging my wheelchair up, having face to face conversations with it did not matter the party with Republicans, with independents, with Democrats. I was out there as a, as a common sense prairie populist is what I would call myself of going out there and talking about the kitchen table issues. And I would always hear two things when I would get up on people's doors. The very first thing they would say is how in the world did you get up here? And I would say, I crawled up here, I drugged my wheelchair up here. That's how important it is to have a conversation with you. And then I would tell them about my story and why I'm running and kitchen table issues. And by the end they would say, you know, I'm not going to vote for every Democrat, but I'm going to vote for you because I like the kind of Democrat that you are.

[Host/Narrator]

Now last night, here is what Zach Walls had to say about the over performance by Renee Hardman. Here, play this clip right here.

[Zach Walls]

Hey folks, we've got major breaking news out of Iowa. Democrats have won another special election with a 20 plus point over performance that is five 20 point over performances relative to 2024 for those of you keeping track at home and six this year where we have exceeded our 2024 margins by 10 points or better. This time, Senator elect Renee Hardman over in West Des Moines held on to a Democratic state Senate seat, ensuring that Republicans do not regain the supermajority and making sure that folks across our state and all over the country know that Iowa is squarely in play when we get to 2026. I want to personally say thank you to everybody who volunteered for Senator Elect Harmon's campaign. So many folks who contributed from across our state and across the country to make sure that we had the resources that we needed to win. This is what winning feels like. And I want you to think about this moment as you think about how exciting 2026 is going to be. I'm Zach Walls, Democratic candidate for the U.S. senate. If you've been looking for your sign to know that Iowa is in play this next year, this is it. We'll see you on the other side.

[Host/Narrator]

And Zach Walls commented to Ashley Hinson's post where Ashley Hinson's like, look everybody, we're giving you $209 million through the Rural Transformation Program in Iowa. And Zach Walls is like seriously offering Iowans pennies when you just rob the bank is almost as soulless as. As Senator Ernst saying, we are all going to die. That's. That's maga's new playbook right here. You know, in their disastrous budget bill, like, they took away $200 billion from rural hospitals, but then they gave back 50 billion. And rather than be like, we stole 150 billion, they brag that they gave you 50 billion. It'd be like, if I stole $1,000 from you and then I returned $200 for you, and I bragged, look, I returned $200, you would still be like, hey, Ben, you stole 800 of my dollars just because you gave me 200 back, you still stole my money. You're still a crook. That's what MAGA is doing. And MAGA wants to divide with their culture wars through and through. And at the end of the day, the Democrats are talking about affordability. Affordability, making people's lives better, protecting people's healthcare, trying to get people the jobs that they deserve, the pay for the jobs that they deserve with dignity, Focus on better working conditions, focusing on trying to make housing more affordable. That's what Democrats are talking about. And MAGA and Trump are talking about his golden ballroom and, I don't know, helping Trump get new private jets and the arc triumphant Trump or whatever the hell they're talking about. That's what's going on. Big win for the Democrats in Iowa. Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 6 million subscribers. Thanks for watching.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Want to stay plugged in? Become a subscriber to our [e-mail] you'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski ad free episodes of our podcast, and more exclusive content only [e-mail].

[Ashley Hinson]

Guys, thanks for helping me carry my Christmas tree.

[Host/Narrator]

Zoe, this thing weighs a ton. Live with your legs, man.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Santa.

[Host/Narrator]

Santa, did you get my letter? He's talking to you, Bridges. I'm not. Of course he did. Right, Santa, you know my elf Drew Ski here.

[Zach Walls]

He handles the nice list.

[Host/Narrator]

And elf, I'm six' three. What everyone wants is iPhone 17 and at T Mobile, you can get it on them. That center stage front camera is amazing for group selfies. Right, Mrs. Claus?

[Ashley Hinson]

I'm Mrs. Claus's much younger sister. And AT T Mobile, there's no trade in needed when you switch, so you can keep your old phone or give.

[Zach Walls]

It as a gift.

[Ashley Hinson]

And the best part, you can make the switch to T Mobile from your phone in just 15 minutes.

[Zach Walls]

Nice. My salad is tree is slipping.

[Host/Narrator]

Kimber the holidays are better at T Mobile switch in just 15 minutes and get iPhone 17 on us with no trade and needed. And now T Mobile is available in U S cellular stores with 24 monthly bill credits for well qualified customers plus tax and 35 device connection charge credit sending balance too. If you pay off earlier, cancel financing agreement. 256 gigs830 eligible for in a new line 100 plus a month plan with auto pay plus taxes fees required. Check out 15 minutes or less per line. Visit t mobile dot com.