Celsi, a Democrat from West Des Moines, was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2018 and represented parts of West Des Moines, Clive and Windsor Heights.

Friends remembered Celsi as "an absolute force to be reckoned with" and someone who "showed up" for her community.

State law requires Gov. Kim Reynolds to order a special election to fill the Senate vacancy.

Iowa state Sen. Claire Celsi, a Democrat from West Des Moines, died Oct. 6, her daughter posted on social media. She was 59.

Celsi was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2018 and reelected in 2022 and 2024. She represented Iowa Senate District 16 , which includes parts of West Des Moines, Clive and Windsor Heights.

"When I think of Sen. Celsi, I think of the word tenacious," said state Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights. "Sen.

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