Lawmaker who lost election wants to change election rules

A state lawmaker who lost a congressional bid earlier this year wants to change primary election rules in Iowa so voters decide certain contested races, rather than political party delegates.Sen. Brad Zaun, an Urbandale Republican, said Tuesday he's submitted a bill to change the primary process if no candidate receives 35 percent of the vote.Under his plan - which would impact statewide, congressional and state legislative races - there would be a runoff election between the top two vote-getters.Currently, when no candidate meets the primary threshold, party delegates pick a nominee.This year Zaun received the most votes in a six-way Republican primary for the 3rd Congressional District. But he didn't reach the threshold. Fifth-place finisher David Young won at the convention and was elected to Congress.

A state lawmaker who lost a congressional bid earlier this year wants to change primary election rules in Iowa so voters decide certain contested races, rather than political party delegates.



Sen. Brad Zaun, an Urbandale Republican, said Tuesday he's submitted a bill to change the primary process if no candidate receives 35 percent of the vote.




Under his plan - which would impact statewide, congressional and state legislative races - there would be a runoff election between the top two vote-getters.



Currently, when no candidate meets the primary threshold, party delegates pick a nominee.



This year Zaun received the most votes in a six-way Republican primary for the 3rd Congressional District. But he didn't reach the threshold. Fifth-place finisher David Young won at the convention and was elected to Congress.