Claire Celsi was a Democratic state senator who represented Iowa Senate District 16 from 2019 until her death on October 6, 2025, at age 59. Born in 1966 in Des Moines, she resided in West Des Moines with her husband Jim and their blended family of five children and one granddaughter.

Education

Celsi graduated from Dowling Catholic High School and earned her degree cum laude from Drake University in 2001. She was also a graduate of the West Des Moines Leadership Academy.

Political Experience

Celsi was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2018 and was re-elected to serve a second term in 2022 and a third term in 2024. She served in the Senate from 2019 through 2025, representing parts of West Des Moines, Windsor Heights, and Clive. She held the position of Assistant Democratic Leader in the Iowa Senate.

Beyond her legislative role, Celsi was actively involved in her community, serving on the Drake University National Journalism and Mass Communications Advisory Board and various local boards including the Polk County Democratic Central Committee and the Central Iowa Shelter and Services Board of Directors. She was recognized as a Des Moines Business Record 40 Under 40 recipient.