Tom Townsend
Iowa State Senator, District 36 since 2024. Next on the ballot in 2028.
- In office
- 1 yr
- Since 2024
- Bills became law
- 0
- 80 sponsored, 2025–2026 session
- Votes missed
- 2.0%
- Chamber median 2.9%
- With party
- 92%
- On votes splitting the parties
- Last margin
- +1.0
- Won 2024
- Next election
- 2028
- Nov 7, 2028
Source: Wikidata, congress-legislators and Open States; 99chambers legislative recordsUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET
Committees
As of 2026-10.
- Transportation · ranking member
- All-Terrain Vehicles and Off-Road Utility Vehicles on Highways Interim
- Fuel Distribution Percentage Formula Review
- Industrial New Jobs Training Program Interim Study
- Legislative Council
- Public Retirement Systems
- State Government
- Veterans Affairs
- Ways and Means
- Workforce
Source: Open States committeesUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET
Legislation
county government · Failed in committee Feb 2026
consumer affairs · Failed in committee Feb 2026
boards, commissions, and councils · Failed in committee Feb 2026
contracts · Failed in committee Feb 2026
accountancy · Failed in committee Feb 2026
Source: Open States billsUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:22 PM ET
Voting record
Where Townsend sits in the Iowa State Senate
Townsend is closer to the center than 61% of the chamber's Democrats.
Closest: Catelin Drey, Sarah Garriott, Tony Bisignano
Source: 99chambers roll-call scalingUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:49 PM ET
With Townsend’s party
- Votes with the chamber's Democrats92%
Black tick: the average of Democrats in the Iowa State Senate.
Source: 99chambers legislative scores from roll calls and cosponsorships
Key votes
Votes chosen for their effect, not their side: Townsend’s vote, each party’s majority, and the result. An orange vote differs from most Democrats.
| Date | Bill | Townsend | Dem. majority | Rep. majority | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2, 2026 | HF 2801: A bill for an act modifying the major economic growth attraction program, and including… | Yes | No | Yes | Passed 28–19 |
| May 2, 2026 | HF 2770: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the justice system, providing… | No | No | Yes | Passed 29–17 |
| May 2, 2026 | HF 2787: A bill for an act prohibiting warrant resolution clinics, including enforcement… | No | No | Yes | Passed 31–12 |
| May 2, 2026 | SF 2490: A bill for an act relating to oil and gas production, including filing requirements, the… | Yes | No | Yes | Passed 35–11 |
| May 2, 2026 | HF 2781: A bill for an act relating to allocations of moneys from the juvenile detention home fund. | Yes | No | Yes | Passed 34–9 |
Source: 99chambers key votes from Congress.gov, Voteview and Open States roll calls
Career
Offices held, and every time Townsend was on a ballot. Filled marks are general elections won; hollow marks are primaries; an orange outline is a loss.
Source: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)
Elections
Margin against the seat’s presidential baseline: how the seat voted for president in the same or nearest year.
| Year | Race | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Iowa State Senate, District 36 | Won | D+1.0 |
Source: 99chambers results archive
Seats Townsend has held
- Iowa State Senate, District 36 · since 2024
Source: 99chambers results archive
Who Townsend has run against
- Nicholas Molo (R) · 2024 general, won
Source: 99chambers results archive
How we know Townsend
One person, matched across every source we use.
- Open States ocd-person/ba2c7b09-df43-4428-b268-1f5a4995282e
Source: Identity links: Wikidata, congress-legislators, Open States, FECUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET