Robin Opsahl Iowa Capital Dispatch

State Sen. Claire Celsi, D-West Des Moines, died Monday, according to a social media post from her daughter and statements from lawmakers.

Celsi, 59, entered hospice care Sept. 18 and was no longer seeking curative treatment, according to her family. She had been battling an undisclosed medical issue for several months. She returned to the 2025 legislative session following a surgery in April after having missed more than a month of votes. Further details about her medical condition have not been released.

Iowa Democratic leaders issued statements mourning Celsi’s passing Monday, thanking her for her service to the state. Celsi was first elected in 2018 to the state Senate and won reelection in 2022 representing Iowa Senate District 16. She served a

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