Iowa State House District 72
Tue, Nov 3 · Represented by Jennifer Smith Republican · Member list as of Oct 28
Matt RobinsonDemocraticJennifer SmithRepublican · Incumbent2 years since first win
No published poll names both candidates.Last result · 2024 general: Jennifer Smith (R) 53.2, Charles Isenhart (D) 46.6
- Last election
- Jennifer Smith (Republican) won by 6.6 points, 2024
- On the 2026 ballot
- 2 candidates
Side by side
Left column: RobinsonRight column: Smith
- Donor-based spectrum
- LiberalCentristConservativeSmithNo published score for Robinson
- Years since first win
- Not available
- 2
How these are counted
The spectrum is a published research score, not our rating. How this works.
More about this race
Candidates on the ballot
- Matt RobinsonDemocratic
- Jennifer SmithIncumbentRepublican
Source: sos.iowa.gov (PDF), dated Aug 19
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- Democratic
- Republican
- Independent
- Nonpartisan
- More than one party
- No member listed
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History (28 elections for this seat)
- Votes for listed candidates
- 16,114
- Election day
- November 5, 2024
- District map
- Older district map (2022 to 2024)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 2024, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanJennifer SmithWon Republican 8,57553.2% DemocraticCharles Isenhart Democratic 7,51346.6% Scattered write-ins Write-in 260.2% - Votes for listed candidates
- 12,247
- Election day
- November 8, 2022
- District map
- Older district map (2022)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 2022, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticCharles IsenhartWon(incumbent) Democratic 6,16450.3% RepublicanJennifer Smith Republican 6,07049.6% Scattered write-ins Write-in 130.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 15,881
- Election day
- November 3, 2020
- District map
- Older district map (2012 to 2021)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 2020, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanDean FisherWon(incumbent) Republican 9,73961.3% DemocraticChristina Blackcloud Democratic 6,11938.5% Scattered write-ins Write-in 230.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 12,951
- Election day
- November 6, 2018
- District map
- Older district map (2012 to 2021)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 2018, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanDean FisherWon(incumbent) Republican 7,70859.5% DemocraticMindy Benson Democratic 5,24340.5% - Votes for listed candidates
- 15,258
- Election day
- November 8, 2016
- District map
- Older district map (2012 to 2021)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 2016, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanDean FisherWon(incumbent) Republican 9,39761.6% DemocraticNathan Wrage Democratic 5,84138.3% Scattered write-ins Write-in 200.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 11,605
- Election day
- November 4, 2014
- District map
- Older district map (2012 to 2021)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 2014, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanDean FisherWon(incumbent) Republican 7,36263.4% DemocraticBen Westphal Democratic 4,24236.5% Scattered write-ins Write-in 10.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 15,357
- Election day
- November 6, 2012
- District map
- Older district map (2012 to 2021)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 2012, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanDean C. FisherWon Republican 7,77850.6% DemocraticNathan Wrage Democratic 7,56249.2% Scattered write-ins Write-in 170.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 10,799
- Election day
- November 2, 2010
- District map
- Older district map (2002 to 2011)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 2010, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanRichard D. ArnoldWon(incumbent) Republican 7,26467.3% DemocraticDeb Ballalatak Democratic 3,52832.7% Scattered write-ins Write-in 70.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 13,452
- Election day
- November 4, 2008
- District map
- Older district map (2002 to 2011)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 2008, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanRichard D. ArnoldWon(incumbent) Republican 9,04367.2% DemocraticJames Demichelis Jr. Democratic 4,40932.8% - Votes for listed candidates
- 9,950
- Election day
- November 7, 2006
- District map
- Older district map (2002 to 2011)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 2006, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanRichard ArnoldWon(incumbent) Republican 6,11761.5% DemocraticBuzz Malone Democratic 3,83338.5% - Votes for listed candidates
- 13,541
- Election day
- November 2, 2004
- District map
- Older district map (2002 to 2011)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 2004, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanRichard ArnoldWon(incumbent) Republican 7,64556.5% DemocraticSteven Reed Democratic 5,89643.5% - Votes for listed candidates
- 9,567
- Election day
- November 5, 2002
- District map
- Older district map (2002 to 2011)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 2002, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanRichard ArnoldWon(incumbent) Republican 5,62258.8% DemocraticJerry Narber Democratic 3,94541.2% - Votes for listed candidates
- 13,686
- Election day
- November 7, 2000
- District map
- Older district map (1992 to 2001)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 2000, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJanet PetersenWon Democratic 8,84364.6% RepublicanJeff Chavannes Republican 4,84335.4% - Votes for listed candidates
- 7,981
- Election day
- November 3, 1998
- District map
- Older district map (1992 to 2001)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 1998, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJack HolveckWon(incumbent) Democratic 7,981100.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 13,766
- Election day
- November 5, 1996
- District map
- Older district map (1992 to 2001)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 1996, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJack HolveckWon(incumbent) Democratic 7,78856.6% RepublicanJeff Russell Republican 5,97843.4% - Votes for listed candidates
- 8,820
- Election day
- November 8, 1994
- District map
- Older district map (1992 to 2001)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 1994, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJack HolveckWon(incumbent) Democratic 8,820100.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 15,124
- Election day
- November 3, 1992
- District map
- Older district map (1992 to 2001)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 1992, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticJack HolveckWon(incumbent) Democratic 10,52169.6% RepublicanJohnnie Pastard Republican 4,60330.4% - Votes for listed candidates
- 10,153
- Election day
- November 6, 1990
- District map
- Older district map (1982 to 1991)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 1990, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticGordon B. BurkeWon Democratic 5,16650.9% RepublicanJo Jackson Republican 4,98749.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 11,875
- Election day
- November 8, 1988
- District map
- Older district map (1982 to 1991)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 1988, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticTom SwartzWon(incumbent) Democratic 7,77565.5% RepublicanLarry D. Campbell Republican 4,09934.5% Scattered write-ins Write-in 10.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 9,898
- Election day
- November 4, 1986
- District map
- Older district map (1982 to 1991)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 1986, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticTom SwartzWon(incumbent) Democratic 6,85869.3% RepublicanMarilyn Wilkie Republican 3,03930.7% Scattered write-ins Write-in 10.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 13,521
- Election day
- November 6, 1984
- District map
- Older district map (1982 to 1991)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 1984, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticTom SwartzWon(incumbent) Democratic 8,28161.3% RepublicanHoward S. Stegmann Republican 5,23638.7% Scattered write-ins Write-in 40.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 11,107
- Election day
- November 2, 1982
- District map
- Older district map (1982 to 1991)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 1982, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticTom SwartzWon(incumbent) Democratic 6,76160.9% RepublicanLarry Dale Campbell Republican 4,34639.1% - Votes for listed candidates
- 11,487
- Election day
- November 4, 1980
- District map
- Older district map (1972 to 1981)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 1980, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanPhillip TyrrellWon(incumbent) Republican 6,82159.4% DemocraticStephen J. Hanson Democratic 4,66640.6% - Votes for listed candidates
- 8,576
- Election day
- November 7, 1978
- District map
- Older district map (1972 to 1981)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 1978, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanPhillip TyrrellWon Republican 4,83756.4% DemocraticLinda Svoboda(incumbent) Democratic 3,73843.6% Scattered write-ins Write-in 10.0% - Votes for listed candidates
- 12,018
- Election day
- November 2, 1976
- District map
- Older district map (1972 to 1981)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 1976, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticLinda SvobodaWon(incumbent) Democratic 6,38153.1% RepublicanPhillip Tyrrell Republican 5,63746.9% - Votes for listed candidates
- 8,814
- Election day
- November 4, 1974
- District map
- Older district map (1972 to 1981)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 1974, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share DemocraticLinda SvobodaWon Democratic 4,86055.1% RepublicanRayman D. Logue(incumbent) Republican 3,95444.9% - Votes for listed candidates
- 10,618
- Election day
- November 7, 1972
- District map
- Older district map (1972 to 1981)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 1972, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanRayman D. LogueWon Republican 5,80554.7% DemocraticDonald J. Friedman Democratic 4,81345.3% - Votes for listed candidates
- 6,773
- Election day
- November 3, 1970
- District map
- Older district map (1970 to 1971)
Iowa House of Representatives District 72, 1970 to 2024, 1970, every candidate Candidate Party Votes and share Share RepublicanHoward A. HamiltonWon(incumbent) Republican 3,93358.1% DemocraticLamar Foster Sr. Democratic 2,84041.9%
- 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 72, election results 1970 to 2024. https://www.electionwrld.com/ia/house/72. Retrieved October 31, 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:72
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