DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Following her election to the U.S. Senate, Joni Ernst has resigned from the Iowa Senate and Gov. Terry Branstad has set a special election to fill her position.
Ernst submitted her resignation from the state Legislature on Friday. It became effective immediately.
Branstad announced Monday that a special election for Ernst's District 12 seat will be held Dec. 30. The district in southwest Iowa includes Fremont, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Ringgold and Taylor counties.
Ernst, a Republican, was elected to the U.S. Senate in November. She is the first woman from Iowa elected to Congress.
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