Sinikka Waugh

Sinikka Waugh is a small business owner and mom running to flip a seat in the Iowa Senate this fall. For the last eighteen years, Sinikka has built her business in District 11, hiring and supporting local workers, and showing up every day for her community. Sinikka was inspired to run for State Senate by her love for her home state and a commitment to building a brighter future for the next generation of Iowans. If elected, Sinikka will fight to protect natural resources, support small businesses, strengthen public schools, promote responsible economic growth, and increase affordability for working families.

District 11’s election this November is highly competitive, and Sinikka is mounting a strong campaign with the DLCC’s support to win her race and help expand Democratic power in the Iowa Senate.

2026 is emerging as a historic opportunity to prevent a GOP supermajority in the Iowa Senate and break the supermajority in the Iowa House.

After nearly a decade of full GOP control, a series of DLCC-backed special election victories in 2025 — including wins in Republican districts — signaled a shift in the political landscape. These victories not only broke the Republican supermajority in the Iowa Senate but also proved that, with dedicated investment, Democrats can win even in the toughest terrain.

In 2026, defending these hard-won Senate seats and making targeted gains in the state House will be critical to stopping Republican overreach and restoring balance in the legislature.

The DLCC is all hands on deck to keep up our momentum in Iowa.