Former Iowa State Representative Ako Abdul-Samad embraces Renee Hardman as she wins the Democratic candidate nomination for Senate District 16 on Oct. 21, 2025, in West Des Moines. Cody Scanlan/The Register

Voters cast their ballots during a nominating convention for the Democratic Senate District 16 candidate on Oct. 21, 2025, in West Des Moines. Cody Scanlan/The Register

Polk County Democratic Party Chair Bill Brauch speaks during a nominating convention for Iowa Senate District 16 on Oct. 21, 2025, in West Des Moines. Cody Scanlan/The Register

Ellen Celci embraces Renee Hardman during a nominating convention for Senate District 16 on Oct. 21, 2025, in West Des Moines. Cody Scanlan/The Register

Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner, D-Iowa City, speaks to the crowd about the need

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