DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa Senate Republicans elected a new Majority Leader on Wednesday.

Senator Mike Klimesh (R) was picked to fill the role. He was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2020 and previously served as the mayor of Spillville in Winneshiek County. Klimesh replaces Senator Jack Whitver, who announced earlier this month he won’t seek reelection and would step down from leadership.

Sen. Klimesh said, “I look forward to leading this caucus and continuing to implement our agenda to reduce taxes, making it more affordable to live in Iowa, reduce barriers to work and invest in this state, expand the economy, and return Iowa schools to their status as the best in the country.”

Iowa Senate Democrats congratulated Klimesh on his election to the position.

Democratic leader Janice Weiner released a statement reading, “I want to offer my congratulations to Senator Mike Klimesh on his election as leader of the Senate Republican caucus. I am hopeful that we can find ways to work together to deliver for and truly improve the lives of all Iowans in the bipartisan manner they expect from us.”