Catelin Drey
Catelin Drey | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Iowa Senatefrom the 1st district | |
| Assumed office September 15, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Rocky De Witt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1987 or 1988 (age 37–38) North Dakota, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Morningside University (BA) |
Catelin Drey (born 1987/1988)[1] is an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, she is a member of the Iowa Senate from the first district. She won a special election to the Iowa Senate in 2025.
Early life and career
Drey is from North Dakota. She moved to Sioux City, Iowa, to attend Morningside University.[2] Drey founded Moms for Iowa, a grassroots parent-led advocacy organization,[3][4] and has been involved in various local organizations and charities, serving as a past president of the Siouxland Growth Organization.[5]
Political career
In June 2025, incumbent state senator Rocky De Witt died of cancer, and a special election was called for August 26 later that year. Drey announced a campaign focused on accessible childcare, funding public education, protecting bodily autonomy, and supporting economic equality.[5] She faced Republican nominee Christopher Prosch, and won by a 10-point margin.[6] She also received more financial support than Prosch, with $260,000 in total funds, including $165,000 in campaign contributions, compared to Prosch total of $181,000, including $20,000 via donors.[7][8] Drey's victory in the special election ended the supermajority Iowa Senate Republicans had previously held.[9] She also expressed interest in running for a full four-year term.[10][11]
On September 15, 2025, she was sworn in by Iowa Supreme Court Justice Matthew McDermott.[12]
Personal life
Drey resides in Sioux City, Iowa, with her husband and their one child.[8]
Electoral history
2025
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Catelin Drey | 4,208 | 55.19% | +10.46% | ||
| Republican | Christopher A. Prosch | 3,411 | 44.74% | −10.32% | ||
| Scattering | 5 | 0.07% | −0.14% | |||
| Majority | 4,208 | 55.19% | ||||
| Turnout | 7,624 | 100% | −54.51% | |||
| Democraticgain from Republican | ||||||
References
- ^Gruber-Miller, Stephen (August 26, 2025). "Democrat Catelin Drey wins Iowa Senate special election, breaking Republican supermajority". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ^Ewertz, Maren (July 9, 2025). "Woodbury County Democrats announce candidate for Iowa Senate District 1 special election". KCAU-TV. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- ^Perez, Alejandro; Hayworth, Bret (July 10, 2025). "Drey nominated as Democrat for Iowa Senate special election & North Sioux City flooding recovery". KWIT. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
- ^Adamczeski, Ryan. "Who is Catelin Drey? This Democrat just broke the Republican supermajority in Iowa". The Advocate. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
- ^ abEwertz, Maren (July 9, 2025). "Woodbury County Democrats announce candidate for Iowa Senate District 1 special election". KCAU-TV. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ^Brummer, Sheila (August 27, 2025). "First-time candidate breaks a Republican supermajority in the Iowa Senate". Iowa Public Radio. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
- ^Fisher, Zach (August 27, 2025). "Meet State Senator-Elect Catelin Drey, winner of Iowa Senate District 1 Special Election". WHO-DT. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
- ^ abKealey, Kate; Gruber-Miller, Stephen (August 27, 2025). "Who is Catelin Drey? Meet the Iowa Democrat who won a special election to flip a GOP seat". Des Moines Register. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
- ^McNett, Jared (2025-08-26). "Drey flips Republican district, breaks supermajority in Iowa Senate". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
- ^Chinn, Travis; Kumm, Jozie. "Senator-elect Catelin Drey speaks out after historic win". KCAU-TV. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
- ^Ewertz, Maren (August 27, 2025). "Catelin Drey breaks GOP super majority". KCAU-TV. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
- ^Pfannenstiel, Brianne (September 15, 2025). "Democrat Catelin Drey sworn in to Iowa Senate". Des Moines Register. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
- ^"State Senate District 1- Special Election". Iowa Secretary of State. August 26, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
