Senate confirmation roundup: Campbell and Anderson confirmed; Abramson, Johnson fail or deferred

The Iowa Senate on the floor confirmed multiple executive‑branch appointees and voted down or deferred others after extended debate.

Mark Campbell was confirmed as director of the Department of Administrative Services by roll call (38 yeas, 6 nays). Senator Driscoll summarized Campbell’s resume—including local government and solid‑waste agency leadership—while Senator Weiner opposed the confirmation citing the department’s handling of the state historical society matter and a $250,000 counterclaim against historians.

Garrett Anderson received confirmation to the Iowa State Civil Rights Commission after supporters described his civic and teaching background and opponents questioned the appointments process and partisan balance on the commission; the roll call recorded a two‑thirds majority in favor.

An attempt to confirm Todd Abramson to the State Board of Education failed; supporters cited Abramson’s long career as a superintendent, while opponents said his record included actions that weakened shared services and area education agencies. The final vote was 28 yeas to 17 nays, and the nomination did not advance.

A confirmation vote for Larry Johnson as director of the Department of Health and Human Services generated sustained floor debate about timeliness of departmental responses to oversight requests and reorganizations of court‑mandated task forces. After extended remarks both opposing and supporting, the nominee did not receive confirmation (28 ayes, 17 nays).

Carolyn Schulte’s confirmation to the Board of Parole was deferred.

These roll‑call outcomes and recorded objections are a matter of public record on the floor and reflect both policy concerns (oversight, agency management) and process disputes over appointments.