In the News: Senator to resign, leaving slim Democratic majority in jeopardy; gay marriage vote possible

from The Des Moines Register.

Gov. Terry Branstad will appoint a Marion senator and Democrat to the Iowa Utilities Board, a move that leaves open a Republican-leaning seat and a chance for the GOP to lock up the Senate in a tie 25 to 25 split.

Sen. Swati Dandekar will resign her position to take the $85,000-a-year job. Branstad, by law, must call for a special election within five days of the official resignation. The election must be at least 40 days after the election is called, meaning the earliest one could take place is in 45 days.

Branstad and his staff have declined to speak about the issue but the political intent to potentially eliminate the slim Democratic majority in the Senate is evident, Democrats said.

Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal and other leaders discussed the issue with their members today in a conference call. They have not conceded defeat, promising an aggressive challenge to retain the seat.

...It means that Republicans could finally break the stalemate that has prevented them from passing some of their key initiatives.

One key issue: A constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage.

All 24 Republicans are in favor of the amendment and a few conservative Democrats are on board. Gronstal has said he will refuse to call the issue up but with a 25-to-25 split, he may no longer be able to hold the line, noted Tim Hagle, a political science professor at the University of Iowa.

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