As we consider the results of Iowa's 2010 midterm election, no one statement sums it up. Iowa is as much a patchwork of regional issues and concerns as it ever was. A quick review of the Iowa House race results is informative. 

In the Iowa House, the Democrats ceded too much ground too early. According to the Secretary of State, Republicans ran 25 uncontested house races. Democrats had some uncontested races, but failure to recruit candidates to oppose Republicans in these races reflects poorly on the Democratic leadership.

Good friends to progressives are gone.

Nathan Reichert was an ally to the environmental movement given the challenges with air quality in House District 80. The good work he did to serve environmental interests is likely to be undone or stymied in the next legislature.

The departure of Ray Zirkelbach in House District 31 will be a setback for veterans issues.

Of the “six-pack” of blue dogs in the Iowa House, Geri Huser (HD-42), Larry Marek (HD- 89) and McKinley Bailey (HD-9) lost re-election bids. Dolores Mertz (HD-8) did not seek re-election. Brian Quirk (HD-15) and Roger Thomas (HD-24) won re-election.

On the positive side, Curt Hanson was able to hold his seat in House District 90 after winning the special election previously. Newcomer Anesa Kajtazovic won House District 21 in an engaging, grass roots campaign.

The key challenge house Democrats will face in the next session of the legislature is to overcome the lack of discipline demonstrated in previous sessions. When they were in the minority, they were unable to hold the caucus together that same way current Minority leader Kraig Paulsen (HD-35) held the Republican house caucus together. Democrats, long in the minority in Iowa, attempted to advance their agenda for everyday Iowans despite being out of power. One expects that outlook to continue. While some perceive the way the Republicans held their caucus together as partisanship, it is more reflective of exercising the power that they had while in the minority. Democrats should look at this and learn.

Much more could be said about the 2010 midterm outcome for the Iowa House. I'll leave that to others. The proof will be in the pudding and whether the new legislature can accomplish anything in the 2011 session.