House validates special-election result, swears in Wendy Larson and completes organizational business

The Iowa House on opening day received a certification from the Secretary of State and swore in Representative-elect Wendy Larson, followed by routine organizational actions including committee appointments and housekeeping votes.

Paul D. Pate, Secretary of State, read the state canvassing board report certifying that the special election held on Dec. 9, 2025, elected Wendy Larson to serve the remainder of the term for District 7 ending Jan. 1, 2027. After the certification, the House adopted the supplemental report of the committee on credentials by voice vote and the chair administered the oath; Representative Larson repeated the oath and was assigned Seat 12.

The House also adopted the supplemental report of the committee on mileage, appointed committees to notify the governor and the Senate that the House was organized and ready to receive messages, and discharged the notifying committees after they returned. Later in the day Representative Kaufman moved to adjourn the House until Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.; the motion passed by voice vote and the House adjourned.

Provenance: The Secretary of State's certification appears in SEG 066–SEG 073; the credentials motion and voice vote are at SEG 075–SEG 082; the oath and seating of Representative Larson are at SEG 083–SEG 105. Committee appointments to notify the governor and Senate are recorded at SEG 118–SEG 145. The adjournment motion and adoption are recorded at SEG 704–SEG 723.