IOWA IS NOT FOR SALE. 

Iowa's Republican leadership is betraying our core values by punishing senators who fought to protect Iowans from a corporate pipeline aiming to take Iowa land – stand with us to demand accountability!

Goal: 1,000+ signatures from voters in Iowa to demand accountability, restoration of committee assignments, and a commitment to party unity and core Republican principles.

Background and Situation Overview

In the 2025 legislative session of the 91st Iowa General Assembly, House File 639 (HF 639) was introduced to address concerns over the use of eminent domain for hazardous liquid pipeline projects, particularly carbon sequestration pipelines. The bill aimed to protect Iowa landowners by restricting eminent domain to cases of genuine public need, requiring pipeline operators to qualify as common carriers, increasing insurance requirements, and limiting permits to a single 25-year term.

This legislation aligned with foundational constitutional values, including limited government intervention, individual liberty, and the supremacy of private property rights. HF 639 passed the Iowa House on February 28, 2025, and the Iowa Senate on May 12 of 2025 for that house file 639, following intense debate. A group of approximately 12 brave Republican senators held up budget bills to force a vote on the measure, demonstrating their commitment to these principles.

However, the bill was ultimately vetoed by Governor Kim Reynolds on June 11, 2025, who argued it could harm Iowa's economy and extended beyond eminent domain reform. Despite the veto, the push for HF 639 highlighted divisions within the Republican Caucus over property rights and pipeline development. Following the session, significant leadership changes occurred. In September 2025, Senator Jack Whitver retired as Senate Majority Leader, and Senator Mike Klimesh was elected to the position. In December 2025, Klimesh announced new committee assignments for the 2026 session.

These changes have been retaliatory in nature, targeting senators who supported HF 639 (Iowan Property Rights). 

Senator Doug Campbell: Stripped of all committee assignments, severely limiting his legislative influence.

Senator Mark Lofgren: Removed from the Appropriations Committee, the Workforce Committee, and the Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee, including the loss of its chairmanship.

Senator Kevin Alons: Removed from the Agriculture Committee, the State Government Committee, and the Workforce Committee; lost vice chairmanship of the Technology Committee; reassigned from State Government to Local Government, with a gain in Transportation.

Senator Dave Sires: Experienced a reduction in influence, including removal from the main Appropriations Committee while retaining only the Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee.

Senator Sandy Salmon: Removed from the Appropriations Committee. 

These actions, attributed to leadership including Senator Klimesh, Senate President Amy Sinclair, and Senate President Pro Tempore Ken Rozenboom, are seen as punitive responses to principled dissent.

They undermine party unity, suppress open debate, and contradict Republican ideals of accountability to voters over loyalty to leadership. Public calls for censure, including letters from concerned citizens, have highlighted outrage over these moves, emphasizing the need to restore trust and collegiality within the caucus.

This petition, initiated by Republican voters across Iowa, seeks to finally hold leadership accountable and reaffirm commitment to core party values. Petition Demands
We, the undersigned Republican voters of Iowa, hereby petition for the following:

1. Formal Censure of Senator Mike Klimesh: For engaging in retaliatory reassignments and removals of committee positions in response to senators' support for HF 639 or their endorsement of primary challengers, in violation of principles of fair governance, party unity, legislative independence, and core Republican ideals such as limited government, individual liberty, and protection of private property rights.
2. Immediate Restoration of Committee Assignments: Reinstate the affected senators—Doug Campbell, Mark Lofgren, Kevin Alons, and Dave Sires—to roles commensurate with their prior assignments, ensuring no further punitive measures. Commitment to Open Debate: Public assurance from Iowa Senate Republican Caucus leadership to foster an environment of respect for differing viewpoints, free political discourse, and accountability to voters rather than factional control.
3. Prioritization of Eminent Domain Reform: Urge the caucus to advance meaningful legislation in the 2026 session to protect private property rights against takings for private gain, building on the intent of HF 639.

Why This Matters


Carrying the Republican name demands adherence to principles that prioritize Iowans over special interests. These retaliatory actions set a dangerous precedent, chilling advocacy on key issues and eroding trust. By signing, you join fellow Republicans in demanding leadership that unites rather than divides, ensuring our party remains strong and true to its values. Copies of this petition, upon reaching the signature goal, will be transmitted to Senator Mike Klimesh, members of the Iowa Senate Republican Caucus, Governor Kim Reynolds, the Iowa Republican Party, and relevant media outlets for public record. SIGN NOW to Stand for Republican Principles and Hold Leadership Accountable.