Two of Gov. Chet Culver’s appointments to state posts — one to head the Department of Human Services and the other to serve on the Iowa Power Fund Board — were voted down in the Iowa Senate today.

Republican lawmakers held true to their promise to oppose Culver’s nomination of Gene Gessow to continue to serve as director of the Iowa Department of Human Services, causing the appointment to fail on a 31-19 vote. The re-appointment of Carrie La Seur to the Iowa Power Fund Board was also denied by a vote of 30-20.

On Tuesday, Republicans blocked the nomination of Shearon Elderkin to the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission.

“Though the governor is entitled to appoint who he wants to serve in his administration, members of the Iowa Senate have a serious and very distinct ‘advise and consent’ role to ensure Iowa taxpayers that the individuals selected are of the highest character and are capable of carrying out the important duties that are asked of them,” Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley, R-Chariton, said in a statement.

Republicans said they felt Gessow deliberately failed to reveal information to lawmakers in the wake of the Atalissa scandal. They also cited frustrations with how the Democrats have crafted budget bills without their input and continue to block a vote on an amendment banning same-sex marriage. So while the Democratic majority of 32-18 means little help is needed from the GOP in most matters, it takes 34 votes to confirm the governor’s nominees.

In denying La Seur’s nomination, McKinley said her role as president of Plains Justice, a Cedar Rapids-based environmental law center, as well as her role in fighting a proposed coal plant in Marshalltown, have caused her to push “the power fund to become a policy making institution instead of its original intent to expand energy production in Iowa.”

Debate grew heated at times, especially during debate of Gessow’s nomination, with Democrats attempting to make the case that with eminent budget cuts the department needed a leader. They said Gessow was willing to work with Republicans to discuss their complaints.

“This is no time to leave the largest department of 5,700 employees and a $4.6 billion budget without a leader,” said Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des Moines, adding: “The Gessow appointment is not the right place to take a shot at the governor or to play political games.”

Democrats now have until midnight to convince two Republicans to switch their vote, as Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, in a procedural move voted “no” so the matter could be brought up again later today.

In a statement, Culver said partisan politics is “hurting people in need,” and called for the Senate to quickly confirm Gessow.