Senator Catelin Drey

Catelin Drey is a Democratic member of the Iowa Senate representing District 1 in Woodbury County, which includes Lawton and most of Sioux City. Born in 1987 or 1988, she grew up in South Dakota before moving to Iowa to attend Morningside University.

Drey is a first-time politician who won a special election in August 2025 to fill the seat left vacant following the death of incumbent state senator Rocky De Witt. In this special election, she defeated Republican Christopher Prosch by a 10-point margin, receiving 55.19% of the vote. Her victory was particularly notable as it occurred in a state Senate district that President Donald Trump carried by 10 points in 2024, demonstrating her appeal across political lines. She was sworn in on September 15, 2025, and became the first Democrat to represent the district since 2013.

Drey's election also had significant legislative consequences: her win ended the Republican supermajority in the Iowa Senate, allowing Democrats to hold 17 seats while Republicans retained 33 seats.

Education and Political Experience

Drey attended Morningside University in Iowa and currently works in digital marketing, living in Sioux City with her husband and daughter.

Beyond her legislative role, she has been active in community service and civic engagement. She founded Moms for Iowa, a grassroots initiative dedicated to making public policy accessible for busy Iowa parents. She previously served as president of Siouxland Growth Organization and served as a board member of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Siouxland.

Her campaign focused on several key issues: accessible childcare, funding public education, protecting bodily autonomy, and supporting economic equality. In the Iowa Senate, she serves on the Commerce Committee and the State Government Committee, and holds the position of Ranking Member on the Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee.