Iowa State House District 23
Tue, Nov 3 · Represented by Bubba Sorensen Republican · Member list as of Oct 28
Bubba SorensenRepublican · Incumbent4 years since first winKaren VarleyDemocratic
Bubba Sorensen 72.1Karen Varley 27.7
Last result · 2024 generalNo published poll names both candidates.
- Last election
- Bubba Sorensen (Republican) won by 44.4 points, 2024
- On the 2026 ballot
- 2 candidates
Side by side
Left column: SorensenRight column: Varley
- Donor-based spectrum
- LiberalCentristConservativeSorensenNo published score for Varley
- Races
- None listed
- Won 0 of 1
- Years since first win
- 4
- Not available
How these are counted
The spectrum is a published research score, not our rating. How this works. Wins and losses count the races in our results files, the same as each profile.
More about this race
Candidates on the ballot
- Karen VarleyDemocratic
- Bubba SorensenIncumbentRepublican
Source: sos.iowa.gov (PDF), dated Aug 19
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- Democratic
- Republican
- Independent
- Nonpartisan
- More than one party
- No member listed
Map settings
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History (28 elections for this seat)
- Votes for listed candidates
- 17,812
- Election day
- November 5, 2024
- District map
- Older district map (2022 to 2024)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 2024, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanBubba SorensenWonName as filed: Ray Bubba Sorensen Republican 12,83772.1% DemocraticKaren Varley Democratic 4,93927.7% Scattered write-ins Write-in 360.2% - Votes for listed candidates
- 11,648
- Election day
- November 8, 2022
- District map
- Older district map (2022)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 2022, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanRay SorensenWon(incumbent) Republican 11,39997.9% Scattered write-ins Write-in 2492.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 13,136
- Election day
- November 3, 2020
- District map
- Older district map (2012 to 2021)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 2020, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanDavid A. SieckWon(incumbent) Republican 12,91798.3% Scattered write-ins Write-in 2191.7% - Votes for listed candidates
- 11,991
- Election day
- November 6, 2018
- District map
- Older district map (2012 to 2021)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 2018, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanDavid SieckWon(incumbent) Republican 7,93166.1% DemocraticChuck Larson Democratic 4,06033.9% - Votes for listed candidates
- 14,146
- Election day
- November 8, 2016
- District map
- Older district map (2012 to 2021)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 2016, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanDavid SieckWon Republican 10,06871.2% DemocraticCraig Florian Democratic 4,06128.7% Scattered write-ins Write-in 170.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 7,858
- Election day
- November 4, 2014
- District map
- Older district map (2012 to 2021)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 2014, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanMark CostelloWon(incumbent) Republican 7,83499.7% Scattered write-ins Write-in 240.3% - Votes for listed candidates
- 10,855
- Election day
- November 6, 2012
- District map
- Older district map (2012 to 2021)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 2012, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanMark CostelloWon Republican 10,74399.0% Scattered write-ins Write-in 1121.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 10,993
- Election day
- November 2, 2010
- District map
- Older district map (2002 to 2011)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 2010, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanDan RasmussenWon Republican 5,59650.9% DemocraticGene Ficken(incumbent) Democratic 5,38849.0% Scattered write-ins Write-in 90.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 14,281
- Election day
- November 4, 2008
- District map
- Older district map (2002 to 2011)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 2008, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticGene FickenWon Democratic 7,52052.7% RepublicanDan Rasmussen(incumbent) Republican 6,76147.3% - Votes for listed candidates
- 10,933
- Election day
- November 7, 2006
- District map
- Older district map (2002 to 2011)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 2006, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanDaniel J. RasmussenWon(incumbent) Republican 5,71652.3% DemocraticPete McRoberts Democratic 5,21747.7% - Votes for listed candidates
- 14,351
- Election day
- November 2, 2004
- District map
- Older district map (2002 to 2011)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 2004, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanDaniel J. RasmussenWon(incumbent) Republican 7,80854.4% DemocraticRon C. Miller Democratic 6,54345.6% - Votes for listed candidates
- 10,059
- Election day
- November 5, 2002
- District map
- Older district map (2002 to 2011)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 2002, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanDaniel J. RasmussenWon Republican 5,18051.5% DemocraticJeanette Randall Democratic 4,87948.5% - Votes for listed candidates
- 12,193
- Election day
- November 7, 2000
- District map
- Older district map (1992 to 2001)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 2000, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticWilliam C. WittWon(incumbent) Democratic 7,30859.9% RepublicanDon F. Findlay Republican 4,88540.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 6,074
- Election day
- November 3, 1998
- District map
- Older district map (1992 to 2001)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 1998, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticWilliam C. WittWon(incumbent) Democratic 6,074100.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 11,151
- Election day
- November 5, 1996
- District map
- Older district map (1992 to 2001)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 1996, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticWilliam C. WittWon(incumbent) Democratic 7,54167.6% RepublicanKendall R. Tack Republican 3,61032.4% - Votes for listed candidates
- 9,323
- Election day
- November 8, 1994
- District map
- Older district map (1992 to 2001)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 1994, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticWilliam C. WittWon Democratic 5,19755.7% RepublicanRon Woodall Republican 4,12644.3% - Votes for listed candidates
- 13,293
- Election day
- November 3, 1992
- District map
- Older district map (1992 to 2001)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 1992, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanSid MorrisWon Republican 6,88851.8% DemocraticWilliam C. Witt Democratic 6,40548.2% - Votes for listed candidates
- 8,785
- Election day
- November 6, 1990
- District map
- Older district map (1982 to 1991)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 1990, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanMarvin E. DiemerWon(incumbent) Republican 4,93956.2% DemocraticWilliam Bell Democratic 3,84643.8% - Votes for listed candidates
- 11,141
- Election day
- November 8, 1988
- District map
- Older district map (1982 to 1991)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 1988, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanMarvin E. DiemerWon(incumbent) Republican 6,56358.9% DemocraticStan Moser Democratic 4,57841.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 5,035
- Election day
- November 4, 1986
- District map
- Older district map (1982 to 1991)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 1986, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanMarvin E. DiemerWon(incumbent) Republican 4,99999.3% Scattered write-ins Write-in 360.7% - Votes for listed candidates
- 13,059
- Election day
- November 6, 1984
- District map
- Older district map (1982 to 1991)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 1984, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanMarvin E. DiemerWon(incumbent) Republican 8,31963.7% DemocraticElaine Kalmar Democratic 4,74036.3% - Votes for listed candidates
- 12,464
- Election day
- November 2, 1982
- District map
- Older district map (1982 to 1991)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 1982, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanMarvin E. DiemerWon(incumbent) Republican 6,98256.0% DemocraticRay Johnson Democratic 5,48244.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 10,999
- Election day
- November 4, 1980
- District map
- Older district map (1972 to 1981)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 1980, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanAndy McKeanWon(incumbent) Republican 8,43376.7% DemocraticDavid L. Rosheim Democratic 2,56623.3% - Votes for listed candidates
- 8,701
- Election day
- November 7, 1978
- District map
- Older district map (1972 to 1981)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 1978, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanAndy McKeanWon Republican 5,56263.9% DemocraticGrace Zimmerman Democratic 3,13936.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 11,426
- Election day
- November 2, 1976
- District map
- Older district map (1972 to 1981)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 1976, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticScott D. NewhardWon(incumbent) Democratic 7,45265.2% RepublicanKatharine K. Winsor Republican 3,97434.8% - Votes for listed candidates
- 8,435
- Election day
- November 4, 1974
- District map
- Older district map (1972 to 1981)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 1974, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticScott D. NewhardWon(incumbent) Democratic 5,53365.6% RepublicanDurward E. Gohlmann Republican 2,90234.4% - Votes for listed candidates
- 10,745
- Election day
- November 7, 1972
- District map
- Older district map (1972 to 1981)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 1972, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticScott D. NewhardWon Democratic 5,95855.5% RepublicanWinston Wessel Republican 4,78744.5% - Votes for listed candidates
- 7,105
- Election day
- November 3, 1970
- District map
- Older district map (1970 to 1971)
Iowa House of Representatives District 23, 1970 to 2024, 1970, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanLeonard C. AndersenWon(incumbent) Republican 4,31160.7% DemocraticRichard R. Schwartz Democratic 2,79439.3%
- 2024: MEDSL 2024 official precinct returns (individual_states zips), retrieved Oct 28, 2026. Compiled by MIT Election Data and Science Lab (MEDSL) from official returns; not an official source
- 1970 to 2022: State Legislative Election Returns, 1967-2022 (Carl Klarner, Harvard Dataverse), retrieved Oct 28, 2026. Compiled by Carl Klarner (Harvard Dataverse) from official returns; not an official source
Last contest in this district on file: 2024.
Download and cite
Cite this page
Election Wrld. (2026). Iowa State House District 23, election results 1970 to 2024. https://www.electionwrld.com/ia/house/23. Retrieved October 30, 2026.
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Sources
Sources: Census TIGERweb Legislative MapServer (120th CDs layer 0, 119th CDs layer 4, 2026 SLD upper layer 1 and lower layer 2) (US Census Bureau, public domain), retrieved Oct 28, 2026; Open Civic Data division identifiers (census_autogenerated us_sldl/us_sldu and openstates state files); also (sld-recent.json): Open Civic Data division identifiers (country-us) (CC0 (repository); also (sld-recent.json): CC0 1.0), retrieved Oct 28, 2026; Open States people (current) CSVs (CC0-1.0 (Open States people data)), retrieved Oct 28, 2026, compiled by Open States volunteers and staff (rosters from state legislature sites) from official returns, not an official source; MEDSL 2024 official precinct returns (individual_states zips) (Not stated in the GitHub repository (an earlier label said "MIT (repo)", which the repository does not support). MEDSL's Harvard Dataverse records are CC0 1.0, but these GitHub files were not checksum-matched to the Dataverse files, so CC0 is not claimed for them.), retrieved Oct 28, 2026, compiled by MIT Election Data and Science Lab (MEDSL) from official returns, not an official source; State Legislative Election Returns, 1967-2022 (Carl Klarner, Harvard Dataverse) (CC0 1.0), retrieved Oct 28, 2026, compiled by Carl Klarner (Harvard Dataverse) from official returns, not an official source.
District id: ocd-division/country:us/state:ia/sldl:23
DataState data (JSON)Sources: State Legislative Election Returns, 1967-2022 (Carl Klarner, Harvard Dataverse), DIME (ODC-BY), MEDSL 2024 official precinct returnsData as of Oct 28, 2026