DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) - Iowa State Sen. Claire Celsi, a Democrat from Des Moines, has died at 59 years old on Monday.

Celsi’s death was confirmed by her daughter on social media. She has been facing an undisclosed medical issue for several months.

She missed more than a month of votes at the state Legislature during the 2025 session beginning in February, returning after a surgery in April.

In September, Celsi’s family announced that she was entering hospice care, meaning she would no longer seek curative treatment. Further details were not released.

Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner of Iowa City has released a statement following the death of State Senator Celsi.

“I cannot begin to express how deeply saddened I am by the passing of our senate colleague and my good friend

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