Legislative Bios

Term: Serving seventh term in House.

Profession: Works for Doll Distributing in Council Bluffs.

Education: Home schooled. Attended college for gunsmithing at Colorado School of Trades.

Military Service: Enlisted in U.S. Marine Corps in 2001. Served one tour in Iraq in 2005. Honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 2009.

Birth and Residence: Born in 1983 in Marshalltown. Resides in Missouri Valley.

Family Members: Wife, Ivelisse; two daughters.

Term: Serving third term in House.

Profession: Farmer and real estate salesperson.

Education: Attended Glenwood High School, Iowa Western Community College, and Iowa State University.

Memberships and Activities: Current member of Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee and Responsible River Management. Ex-officio member of the Mills County Economic Development Foundation. Past positions include president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, director of Western Iowa Energy, director of Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, and various committee assignments on the National Corn Growers Association and U.S. Grains Council.

Birth and Residence: Born in 1957 in Council Bluffs. Raised in Council Bluffs and resides in Glenwood.

Family Members: Wife Kim; three children.

Term: Serving third term in House.

Profession: Retired teacher and coach. Retired assistant manager, Southwest Iowa Egg Cooperative.

Education: Graduated from Grinnell-Newburg Community Schools, Westmar College, and Northwest Missouri State University.

Memberships and Activities: Member of IHSAA Officials Hall of Fame. Youth sports officiating.

Birth and Residence: Born in 1952 in Grinnell. Resides in Griswold.

Family Members: Wife, Jewell; two daughters, one son, and two grandsons.

State Representative District 19     Brent Siegrist    Republican Party   brent.siegrist@legis.iowa.gov

Birth: September 30, 1952, Council Bluffs. Parents: Robert and Nancy Siegrist. Education: Graduated St. Albert High School; B.A., (Social Science) Dana College, Blair, Nebraska, 1974; currently working on Masters Degree in Public Adm. at Iowa State University. Spouse: Valerie. Children: 1 daughter, Harriet; 1 son, Evan. Profession and Activities: High school government teacher and coach for 18 years. Currently manager of special projects for Valley Corp. in Bettendorf. Member: Bluffs Arts Council, Advisory Board of Retired Senior Volunteers Program, Advisory Board of the Southwest Iowa Regents Graduate Resource Center. Assistant minority leader, 73rd and 74th General Assembly. Majority leader, 75th, 76th, 77th, and 78th General Assembly. Serving ninth term in House.

Josh was born and raised in Council Bluffs in a working-class family, and has lived in the city for most of his life. Raised in a "basketball family," Josh and two of his siblings went on to play basketball professionally. Josh was born with spina bifida and has been a wheelchair user and an advocate of adaptive sports for the disability community since childhood.

 After graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs, Josh continued his basketball career at Southwest Minnesota State University where he was the most prolific scorer in the program’s history and earned a degree in History in 2002. He later earned an MBA from Keller University. Josh has been inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Abraham Lincoln and Southwest Minnesota State University.

Josh proudly represented the United States at four Paralympics and is a three-time medalist (two golds and one bronze), most recently bringing home gold from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. He spent his basketball career playing professionally in Europe. 

Josh has always strived to give back to the places that have given him so much. While playing professional basketball, Josh began as the Volunteer Director for the Ryan Martin Foundation, an organization providing children with disabilities opportunities to play sports for free. This past year, he was appointed to the National Wheelchair Basketball Association's High Performance Committee. He currently works full-time at Numotion, a company that provides mobility devices and complex rehab technology to people with disabilities.

Josh lives in Council Bluffs with his wife, Jarolin. Jarolin is an immigrant and the couple has a bilingual, multi-cultural household.

State Representative District 21    Brooke Boden     Republican Party   brooke.boden@legis.iowa.gov

State Representative District 22    Samantha Fett     Republican Party    @legis.iowa.gov

State Representative District 23    Ray Sorensen    Republican Party    ray.sorensen@legis.iowa.gov

Ray Sorensen was born in Creston, Iowa and raised in Fontanelle, Iowa. Ray was given the nickname "Bubba" by his dad, as he was a chubby baby, and the name stuck. Bubba grew up playing sports, showing cattle and drawing. His love for artwork carried into a career as a Graphic Designer and a mural artist.

In 1999, after seeing the movie "Saving Private Ryan", Bubba was inspired to paint a thank you to our Veterans on a large 12ft tall boulder (dubbed the Freedom Rock®). Since then, he has voluntarily painted a different unique thank you on that rock each May (for Memorial Day) since.

In 2007, Bubba married his wife Maria (Galanakis) and they shortly after (2008) started their business, Sorensen Studios.

In 2013, Bubba and Maria started the Freedom Rock® Tour with the goal of putting one in all 99 counties in Iowa. Bubba has now completed all 99 Freedom Rocks® (as of Sept '21) and will finish a 100th in Iowa, as well as, painting various other mural including Freedom Rocks® in other states.

In 2011, they welcomed their first child, Independence (Indie), in 2014, they welcome the birth of their second child, Michael (Mikey), named after my Dad and Great-Grandpa, and number 3 came in 2021, when Liberty (too many nicknames to list) was born. With the addition of Liberty, we decided - patriotic names for girls, family names for the boys.

Bubba has many accomplishments including many awards for his work and dedication to Veterans through his artwork. From his George Washington Honor Medal from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, to being commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher in 2005, to being named Outstanding Young Iowan by the Iowa Jaycees in 2007 and receiving a Commander's Award for Public Service from Major General Timothy Orr, and being inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2019. Bubba has always longed to serve his community and especially for our Veterans who serve our country.

Bubba won the General Election in 2018 and again in 2020, and now after census re-districting, Bubba has been elected for his third term in the newly drawn Iowa House District 23, that includes all of Adair and Madison Counties, as well as, portions of Dallas, Clarke and Union counties. So if you live in these areas, Representative Sorensen looks forward to being your voice at our Capitol!

I want to represent district 25 because it is my home, and it has been my home for more than 50 years. My mother and father were GERMAN immigrants in the 1950’s and made Ottumwa there home. Not only for our Family but our family businesses. I have a Lovely Wife (a Minnesota transplant) of nearly 30 years and 2 sons Andreas and Marcus. All of which want to support me in this endeavor. I have always enjoyed helping out in our community whether it by volunteering for events or sitting on committees. It has been humbling and a great learning experience. 

My businesses have taken me all over the world and given me a great prospective.  One thing I have learned is that you are only as good as your inputs to get a quality output.  I have spent over 30 years building businesses for myself and others. Along the way I have learned how to listen, problem solve, and find solutions. I want to take these skills with me to the house. 

State Representative District 26    Austin Harris   Republican Party    austin.harris@legis.iowa.gov

I was born and raised on my family’s farm in Moulton, Iowa. I spent my summers and weekends doing chores, feeding and working cattle, fixing fences, and doing any job that needed to be done.

After high school, instead of staying on the farm or going to a university, I decided I want to make a difference in our state by getting involved in politics. Over the years I worked on campaigns to help elect conservative candidates up and down the ballot.

In 2017, I worked for President Trump in his administration at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There, I was assigned to the Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Agency where I was tasked with finding ways to stop fraud, cut spending, and streamline the bureaucracy.

Recently, I served as deputy chief of staff to Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks and helped lead the fight to stop House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from stealing her election and overturning the will of the people of Iowa.

But of all the jobs I’ve had, the most informative and valuable work I’ve done was on my family’s farm.

It was there where I learned the value of a dollar, the importance of working hard, and that when there is a job to do – there is work to be done.

Listening, working together, and treating one another with respect is how we do things in Iowa. Sadly, the radical left has abandoned those ideals.

They have chosen cancellation and censorship over debate and engagement.

They believe that inflation is transitory and that our local law enforcement is inherently racist.

They believe that the government should be involved in every aspect of our lives but yet, parents shouldn’t be involved in their own kid’s education.

Now more than ever, we need leaders in Des Moines that not only know how to fight for the people of Iowa but win those tough fights.

Over the last eight years, I’ve been doing exactly that. I’ve worked to elect conservative candidates up and down the ballot, worked for and fought for President Trump in his administration, and helped lead the fight to stop Nancy Pelosi from stealing an election.

Now, I am running for the Iowa House of Representatives to fight for the people of southern Iowa.

I’m running to:

• Alleviate the pinch Iowans are feeling from inflation and supply chain issues by cutting taxes and attracting new businesses to southern Iowa,
• Support our local law enforcement by ensuring they have the funding, resources, and training they need to keep our citizens safe,
• Empower parents to be involved in their kid’s education by passing a “Parents’ Bill of Rights,”
• Grow our local workforce by attracting new residents to our state to fill the good paying jobs that are open today,
• Protect innocent life by passing a state constitutional amendment that guarantees the right to life.

If I’m given this opportunity, I will owe this privilege to no one but the people of House District 26. No politician, no donor, and no special interest group will control my vote or influence my commitment to the constituents I represent.

I ask you for your vote and your support in the June 7 primary. And make no mistake about it, I will fight and win for the people of southern Iowa!

State Representative District 27    Kenan Judge         Democrat Party    kenan.judge@legis.iowa.gov

My name is Kenan Judge and I am your Representative in District 27. This includes Waukee and parts of Clive.

​My wife, Kathi, and I have been married for 39 years and have raised four daughters who all graduated from Waukee High School. Kathi and I are both retired and enjoy spending time with family, gardening and volunteering for a number of organizations around the area including the Waukee Area Christian Services. 

​Growing up, my parents always instilled a foundation of fairness, ethics, and hard work. Those qualities have served me well and I am looking forward to bringing more of that to the state house as your representative. I promise that if re-elected, I will listen to your ideas and be a representative that you can be proud of.

State Representative District 28    David Young    Republican Party    david.young@legis.iowa.gov

State Representative District 30    Megan Srinivas   Democrat Party    megan.srinivas@legis.iowa.gov

Megan is an Iowa  native and local doctor based in Des Moines. She was raised in small town Iowa and graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High.  Megan went on to receive undergraduate and graduate degrees from Harvard University and her medical degree with a certificate in teaching from the University of Iowa’s Carver College of Medicine.  She completed her internal medicine residency at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and infectious disease fellowship at the University of North Carolina.  Her roots in Iowa drove her to return home to improve health care in her community.

Megan has always prioritized making Iowa a better place to live. Megan was appointed by Governor Vilsack to serve as the first student representative on the Iowa State Board of Education. She also started and led Presents of Hope for 10 years, a community effort focused on providing essential items as well as holiday presents to children and women in the YWCA homeless shelter and the domestic abuse shelter. During the fall of 2020, Megan chaired Iowa’s Biden-Harris COVID Response Council.

DEDICATION TO THE COMMUNITY

Megan is an infectious disease physician who is contracted with Broadlawns Medical Center and works remotely for the University of North Carolina School for Medicine. She works with Iowa Primary Care Association (PCA) to improve access to Hepatitis C treatment throughout the state. She also serves on the Iowa Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission and sits on the board of the Iowa chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI Iowa).

State Representative District 31    Mary Madison     Democrat Party    mary.madison@legis.iowa.gov

Reverend Mary is an Ordained Minister, School Counselor, Educator, and Community Volunteer. She and her husband Dr. L. Keith Madison have called West Des Moines home for the last twenty-one years. The proud parents of three adult children and one delightful granddaughter.

Mary Madison has strong beliefs in the rights embedded in the humanity of every person: I believe voting is a fundamental right for all citizens of this great country of ours.

There is much to do.
This is where I would like to start as your representative:

I plan to engage the community in listening sessions. Learning and bringing the issues of importance to you, my neighbors into the legislative work I plan to do.

Let’s be clear that West Des Moines is a great place to call home! Celebrating our diversity and shared values will only continue to make all of Iowa a great place to live!

State Representative District 66    Steven Bradley    Republican Party    steven.bradley@legis.iowa.gov

Occupation: Dentist
District: Iowa House District 58
Education: Graduated from Western Dubuque High School, attended Loras College, and the University of Dubuque, Graduated from the University of Iowa. Received Dental Degree from Marquette School of Dentistry, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Why did you decide to run for office:

I have been a small business owner and dentist for 35 years. As a private practice owner, I understand the importance of managing finances and wanting my tax dollars spent responsibly. In Des Moines, I will make it a priority to budget conservatively and leave as much money as possible in pockets of hard-working Iowans.

What do you hope to accomplish?

Iowa thrives under Republican leadership. Our fiscally conservative policies keep our economy growing. Liberal policies mean more spending, more taxes, more regulations, and more government involvement in our businesses and lives. I was raised with common sense, conservative Iowa values, represented my profession with those values, and will continue to represent all Iowans with these values.

What do you want the voters to know?

I have been heavily involved in organized dentistry over my 35-year career. I started at the district level and worked my way up to the President of the Iowa Dental Association. As President, I represented our state at the national level protecting the interests of Iowa dentists. Following my tenure with the Iowa Dental Association, I was appointed, as a Republican, to the Iowa Dental Board by then-Governor Chet Culver. I was subsequently reappointed for two more terms by Governor Terry Branstad. I served as chairman of the Board of Dental Examiners for six years. As Chairman, it was my duty to oversee dentists in the State of Iowa and work with Legislators to pass laws that protect the health and safety of private citizens while squashing bills that were not in the best interest of citizens of Iowa.

State Representative District 67     Craig Johnson    Republican Party    craig.johnson@legis.iowa.gov

State Representative District 68     Chad Ingels    Republican Party    chad.ingels@legis.iowa.gov 

Residence: Randalia, Iowa

Occupation: Fourth-generation Fayette County farmer, school board member, youth sports coach and former watershed project coordinator

Education: BS Horticulture from Iowa State, MAg Professional Agriculture from Iowa State

State Representative District 69    Tom Determann    Republican Party    tom.determann@legis.iowa.gov

State Representative District 70    Norlin Mommsen   Republican Party    norlin.Mommsen@legis.iowa.gov

The morning after the 2016 election, I stumbled my way through a conversation with my then six-year-old daughter. As I told her about our new president, her eyes began to well up with tears and she asked me a simple yet profound question, “Mom, does this mean we have to build a wall?”

This was the moment I realized I had to run for office. There are too many walls dividing people, to many barriers preventing people from thriving.

As a college chaplain, I’ve devoted my life to building communities where these walls and barriers were coming down, not going up!  As a former city commissioner, county official, and leader in the NAACP, I have a proven commitment to breaking down the barriers that keep our hard-working families from accessing safe and affordable housing, mental health services, nutritious food, and good jobs with living wages. 

As your State Representative in Iowa House District 99, Dubuque, I’ve co-founded Iowa’s first bi-cameral, bi-partisan caucus, led the charge for insulin access and mobile home protections, and most recently passed historic racial justice reform. As your state representative, I will continue to mobilize our community around the values that bring our kids a secure future – a thriving and just economy, universal healthcare, a clean environment, strong schools, and vibrant neighborhoods!

State Representative District 72    Jennifer Smith    Republican Party      @legis.iowa.gov

Eric grew up in a rural community with his parents and twin sister.  He is the son of Ken Gjerde, a veteran of both the Army and Navy, and a retired United States Postal Service worker, and Ruth a retired nurse.  Much of his early days was spent working in his uncle and aunt’s family owned grocery store, learning the ins and outs of the business before he could see over the register.  Eric attended Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, where he ran Cross Country and Track and double majored in Sociology and Religion.  Eric and his sister were the first in his extended family to earn four year degrees.

Eric then began working on his first of two Masters degrees from the University of Iowa, ultimately earning Masters degrees in Secondary Education and Educational Administration.  While a graduate student, Eric served on the Board of Directors for the Habitat for Humanity of the Quad Cities. After completing his first Master’s Degree, he began his education career in LeRoy, Minnesota. In addition to his teaching duties, Eric volunteered as an EMT for LeRoy Area Ambulance.

​Eric returned to the state of Iowa to begin work on his doctorate in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies, which he completed in May of 2016 at the University of Northern Iowa.  While working on this degree, Eric worked as a Special Education teacher at Clear Creek Amana High School in Tiffin, IA for five years, before accepting his current position with the Cedar Rapids Community School District.  Eric has been teaching Special Education and coaching at Thomas Jefferson High School for the past ten years. For the past five years, Eric has volunteered and served as a Linn County Sheriff’s Office Special Deputy.

​Eric is married to his wife, Amy, who works as an early learning paraeducator in the Cedar Rapids Community School District. They have three daughters, Grace (10), Caroline (6) and Ella (6) who attend elementary school in the Linn Mar School District. 

​In November of 2020, Eric was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives serving the residents of the 67th District which includes Marion, Hiawatha, Robins, and  parts of Cedar Rapids. 

State Representative District 75    Bob Kressig    Democrat Party    bob.kressig@legis.iowa.gov

Bob was born in Dubuque, Iowa on December 31st, 1953, to Bob and Verdie Kressig. Bob has 2 sisters Judy Beckmann who passed away in 2012 and Peggy Kane, who lives in Waterloo. Bob attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and Columbus High School. Bob transferred to Waterloo West High and graduated, in 1972. In 1972, Bob started working at John Deere in Waterloo. Bob’s parents were small business owners in Waterloo for years owning Verdie’s Restaurant. He married Liz Amble in 1978 and has two daughters, Molly, who lives in Temecula, CA, and Laura, who graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2011. Bob and Liz have 2 grandchildren, Brianna and Gavin. Bob and Liz moved to Cedar Falls, to 3523 Veralta Dr., in May of 1990, and have lived at the same address ever since.

Bob attended Hawkeye Tech. and completed a maintenance welding course, in 1974. He also attended UNI and completed course work for State of Iowa Post Secondary Teaching license. During Bob’s tenure at John Deere, he held various jobs, from maintenance to assembly. Toward the end of his career at John Deere, Bob was a John Deere /UAW Joint Trainer, for 10 years. Bob retired from John Deere in December of 2003 with 31 years of employment.

Bob is currently a Board member of Veridian Credit Union, since 1996, and was the Board Chairman for 3 years. He was selected by Mayor Jon Crews in 2000, to the Planning and Zoning Commission of Cedar Falls, and resigned that position in December of 2004. Bob was also the Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission, from 2002 thru 2004. Bob also serves on the University of Northern Iowa’s Metal Casting Center Board of Directors, and the Allen Hospital Child Protection Center Advisory Committee. Bob was also appointed by the legislature to serve on the Criminal Justice Information System Advisory Committee and the Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board.

Bob ran for the Iowa House of Representatives, in 2004, and won that seat. Bob currently serves on Public Safety Committee (Ranking Member), Commerce Committee, Local Government Committee, and the Economic Development Appropriations Budget Sub Committee.

Bob joined the Cedar Falls Lions Club, in 2005. Bob is a member of the Sons of Amvets Post 49 and is a member of the UAW Local 838 retirees group Bob also enjoys riding bicycles and was a member of Rainbow Cyclists in Waterloo, for several years. He also enjoys riding RAGBRAI and has ridden 24 total RAGBRAI’s.

Some of Bob’s strengths are his care for his community and dedication to serve the people of Iowa House District 59 as their State Representative. Bob is open-minded, a good listener, and committed to representing the citizens. Bob is a team builder with leadership skills who is highly motivated, task oriented, and is experienced in planning and implementation processes.

State Representative District 76    Derek Wulf    Republican Party     derek.wulf@legis.iowa.gov

There are two main things that I would say make me the best candidate to represent the newly created Iowa House District 76: experience and philosophies. The experience I've gained as being a lifelong family farmer, working in agribusiness, and most importantly growing a young family in my rural community can't be learned anywhere else, and I think they'll serve our district well in Des Moines. I know the value of hard work, early mornings, late nights, and that there are times where you just have to push through challenges. Many of the good folks here in our District 76 can relate to this experience.

When it comes to my philosophical stance on the real issues that matter to the many that I have talked to in the district, I think my vision is more aligned with that of the folks here in HD76 than my opponent. I believe in keeping more of our hard-earned dollars as opposed to sending it to the government. I believe in parents being in the driver's seat of our kids' education. I believe in backing police and emergency responders. And ultimately, I believe in the value of freedom and individual agency. These don't seem to be the values of the opposing party.

I think as a state, we need to do more to keep our rural communities not only thriving but growing. A big reason I hear folks are moving away from rural Iowa are jobs and housing. I want to make sure that when we fund programs and tax credits at creating jobs, that rural Iowa receives the attention it deserves for these programs. The vast majority of this state is rural, District 76 exemplifies that, and we need to prioritize skyscrapers in Des Moines less, and businesses on main street more.

I also believe that when it comes to housing, if you build it, they will come. We need to incentivize developers to build or restore homes in Iowa's smaller towns. If given the right incentive, I think you'll see developers want to build in places like Traer, Dysart, Hudson, or La Porte rather than another development in a suburb of a major metro area.

When it comes to issues I'm hearing about, it's mainly around the impact of the economic disaster that the federal government is leading us into. I can definitely relate to them in my own family farm operation, where our expenses have risen in some cases by over 300%, fuel prices have more than doubled, and interest rates are on a runaway train higher with no end in sight. I plan to prioritize any efforts that can bring some economic relief to my constituents. That could take the shape of lower taxes, cutting red tape to get people into jobs faster, or helping educate and train the next generation to be ready to fill the jobs that will await them.

My family is the most important part of my campaign team and they have been with me every step of the way on this journey to the State House in Des Moines. My wife, Dresden, has been an instructor in the Animal Science Department at Hawkeye Community College for 15 years. I have two beautiful and extremely talented daughters, Aubrey, who is 11, and Claire, who is 7. They attend Hudson Community School and are active in youth rodeo, 4-H, choir, piano and violin. I am truly blessed to have them by my side to help with the early mornings and late nights of feeding cows, tending to planting and harvest in our row crop operation, and everything else that keeps our family farm running.

Sami was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His story is like so many others in America. The son of an immigrant teacher and a lawyer, Sami learned from a young age the value of a good education, workers’ rights, and helping one’s own community.

Sami graduated from George Washington High School, a public school right here in Cedar Rapids, where he pursued his love for swimming and became president of the study body. Inspired into community organizing and public service by President Barack Obama, Sami has been organizing and working to get Democrats elected across Iowa for over a decade.

After high school, Sami attended Georgetown University on a scholarship during which he lived abroad in Argentina and the United Arab Emirates, where he worked for the State Department.

Following graduation he immediately returned to Cedar Rapids to work to rebuild the Democratic Party and elect progressives to office across this state. Most recently, he served on the leadership team for President Joe Biden’s general election campaign here in Iowa.

State Representative District 79    Tracy Ehlert     Democrat Party    tracy.ehlert@legis.iowa.gov

State Representative District 80    Art Staed    Democrat Party      art.staed@legis.iowa.gov

Art Staed hails from Joplin, Missouri, one of 11 kids. He graduated from McAuley Regional Catholic High School, earned his college degree at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, a Master’s degree in Secondary Education at The University of Missouri at K.C. and a second Master’s in Secondary Administration from East Central University of Oklahoma.

A Leader in Education and the Community

Art’s passion for education spurred a ‘Communities in Schools’ program targeting at-risk students using mentoring programs, tutoring, mental health assistance, human services and counseling to help kids stay in school. His program received national recognition at a White House ceremony for creative and successful business-school partnerships.

The rate of domestic violence in the local community troubled Art, and he worked determinedly to provide assistance, counseling and a safe haven for victims of abuse. He co-founded The Family Shelter of Southern Oklahoma and served as a Board member while writing grants for construction and operational costs. 

Business Manager

Briefly leaving education for a career with U.S. Cellular, Art quickly became a direct sales supervisor and manager of numerous retail stores, including opening and operating new stores for the company. This required Art to identify new markets, help find new locations for stores, arrange for their lease and remodeling, and to hire, train and manage store employees.

U.S. Cellular brought Art to Cedar Rapids as a national trainer to work with managers and front line sales associates throughout the country in a host of management, sales, and business development courses. He was responsible for providing more than 30 different certified professional training courses.

After making the decision to return to public education and updating and expanding his credentials, Art taught Business Management and Time Management courses at Kirkwood and developed workforce training at the Iowa Workforce Development office in Cedar Rapids.

Art and his wife Susan recently sold Coffee Talk Café, where he hosted “Coffee Talk: Corridor Conversations”, a videotaped series of talks with local community leaders regarding issues that affect the Cedar Rapids community. The coffee shop was a successful small business that provided a “refuge”, a place of peace where people could get away, relax, and enjoy great coffee. Art says that running a business presents many challenges, but it also brings great rewards. He says that the best part was working there with his wife and getting to know all the customers, along with being part of a great community and contributing to that community.

Legislative Experience

The citizens of district 37 elected Art to the Iowa House Representative in 2007-2008 where he served as Vice Chairman of both the Education Committee and the Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee. He also represented Iowans on the Economic Growth, Labor, and Veterans Affairs committees.

On the Education Committee, Art championed efforts to provide preschool for all Iowa’s eligible children and 4% allowable growth in the state’s kindergarten through 12 grade education budget. He worked to pass legislation that improved teacher salaries from 48th in the nation to 25th. Art worked with colleagues to get additional aid for private school students, the Iowa Tuition Grant Program and the All-Iowa Opportunity Grants for college aid. He helped move the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiative to passage in the House and supported a record level of support for community colleges and universities. Art also supported after school programs and grants to help struggling students get help to reach grade level and to stay in school.

On the Veterans Affairs Committee, Art helped floor-manage the Veterans homeowner assistance program and the expanded charitable programs that provide financial assistance to needy and homeless Iowa Veterans. He was concerned about Iowa’s Veterans, so he moved legislation to provide and train Veterans’ Affairs officials to assist Veterans in every county and to finally pay Vietnam Veteran Bonuses that had been unpaid since 1973.

On the Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee, Art assisted in moving the bill creating the Iowa Power Fund, a blueprint for funding State renewable energy workforce programs. The Iowa Power Fund brings Iowa closer to energy independence, making Iowa a renewable energy provider, and promoting well-paying jobs. Art also supported the expansion of incentives targeted to small business development centers. And finally, he helped expand historic preservation tax credits, match funding for recreational trails, and additional funding for Iowa tourism.

At the conclusion of Art’s term, “the House was in order” with a balanced and sound fiscal budget: a cash reserve fund of $444 million, an economic emergency fund of $138 million, a fully funded Medicaid program and a repayment of $144 million to the senior living trust fund.

Currently, Art teaches secondary education and is active in the Cedar Rapids Education Association. You will also find him out knocking on voters’ doors, getting voter input, nearly every evening.  He resides in Cedar Rapids with his wife Susan. They have four children and five grandchildren.

State Representative District 81    Luana Stoltenberg     Republican Party    luana.stoltenberg@legis.iowa.gov

Luana has been married to Steve since 1985, and they have an adopted son, Zac, from India. They are past business owners, and Luana has managed several businesses. She has served on the boards of various non-profits, and was treasurer at her church and Life and Family Coalition. Luana is an author, and international pro-life speaker, and has been featured in Today's Christian Woman magazine, in several documentaries, and on multiple radio programs. She has been on The Early Show, 700 Club, and quoted in countless newspapers, including USA Today. Luana's heart is to fight for justice and freedom, while showing others the love and mercy of Christ.

State Representative      District 82    Bobby Kaufmann    Republican Party    bobby.kaufmann@legis.iowa.gov

I’m running for the Iowa Senate because Iowa is my home. It’s been my home my entire life. I was born in Iowa, and I was raised in Iowa. I met my wife here and raised my family. For 35 years I have served communities in our state as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent. I have had the privilege of serving on community foundation boards, local economic development committees and civic organizations, working to make our community the best place to live, work and raise a family. Iowans should be represented by Iowans, people who have lived and worked in our communities and understand the struggles we face. I’ve been showing up for Northwest Iowa my entire life and not just when it’s convenient. I’ll continue working hard as your next state senator!

Vice-President Hartley Economic Development (2005-2011)

Alta Kiwanis Club Member (2011-present) Current Vice-President

Hartley Lion’s Club Member (2003-11) Serving terms as Vice-President and President

Alta-Aurelia Community Education Foundation Board Member (2011-current)

Founding Member of the Hartley Community Foundation

IASB Annual Convention Presenter on Reorganization and Whole Grade Sharing (2018)

Annual Iowa Homeland Security Conference Presenter on Tornado Safe Rooms (2018)

High Schools That Work (SREB) National Conference Presenter

Developed the Northwest Iowa Charter High School in partnership with Northwest Iowa Community College

Iowa High School Athletic Assoc. Representative Council (2006-2011, 2014-2018)

AEA 4  Superintendent of the Year (2008)

Established Community Daycare Centers, in Partnership with the Local School District, in the Communities of Hartley, Alta and Aurelia

Wrote numerous successful grants totaling approximately $2 million dollars for various school improvement projects, school/community tornado safe room, youth activities, and community recreational projects.

Rowley was elected in a special election on December 14, 2021, with 75.6% of the vote and was sworn in as Iowa Senator for District 1 on January 10, 2022.  Due to redistricting which happens after each census, he is now running for District 5 which includes the counties of Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, North Clay, Palo Alto and Winnebago.

Senator Rowley and his wife Kris have been married for 41 years.  They have four adult children and two grandchildren.  Senator Rowley has been active in his community, including the Iowa Great Lakes Rotary, the Spirit Lake Community School Foundation, The Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji.  He also enjoys playing music.  The Rowley’s are members of First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji.

Serving As Senator:

The 89^th Iowa Session that began on January 10, 2022, has already passed monumental legislation to move our state forward. Just this last month, I voted to send historic tax relief to the governor’s desk, providing tax relief for all Iowans and putting into a law a 3.9 percent flat tax. This is real, permanent tax relief that has an effect on every Iowan, whether it is helping families save for a rainy day, putting money towards college for a child, or just trying to manage President Biden’s rising inflation and the rising prices at the grocery store.

That’s not all. In the Iowa Senate we have been working on policies to give parents more power over their children’s education, conservative budgeting to ensure major tax relief, and reduce burdensome regulations for Iowa businesses. We preserved the opportunity for Iowa girls to compete in school sports against other girls and not boys. But we aren’t done yet.

When I started my campaign last year, I made a promise to keep up the momentum Republicans had started and fight for policies that would bring more job opportunities to Iowa, ensure families have access to the best schools and make Iowa the best state to live, work and raise a family. I am proud to be working on these policies for our community.   I know I want to see them through and continue supporting policies just like these.

I was humbled by your support in the special election last year. Now, I am again asking for your support as I continue fighting for northwest Iowa in Des Moines.  In February, I announced my re-election bid.  I need your help to ensure conservative policies continue for Iowans.  I have a Primary opponent who moved into our state in the summer of 2020 from the Seattle area in Washington State.  I have a long record in NW Iowa as a Republican fighting for conservative values.  I will continue the fight as your Senator representing District 5. I ask for your vote on June 7th.

Will you consider a generous donation of $50, $75 or even $100?  Please send checks to Rowley for Iowa Senate, 1311 Gary Avenue, Spirit Lake, IA 51360 or make a donation on this website.

Thank you for your support. I hope I can continue to count on you as we work together to keep Iowa the best state to live, work and raise a family.

I grew up on a family farm near Boyden (Sioux County) where I learned the value of family, hard work, and service to others.  

Following in my father’s footsteps, I enlisted in the Air National Guard as soon as I was eligible. After high school graduation, and military training, I attended college and served as a part-time jet engine mechanic. I was tasked with working on the A-7D aircraft, which also happened to be the type of plane my father was flying at the time.

I completed college, and soon thereafter married my beautiful wife Ngu. As a recent college graduate and a newlywed, I went back for more military training to be commissioned as an officer and become an Air National Guard fighter pilot. One of the highlights of my military experience was flying with my father in the same unit.

Having served for over 27 years, I am currently a Colonel at Joint Force Headquarters, Iowa National Guard, serving as the Director of Operations – Air. I continue to fly the KC-135 air refueling aircraft.  As the son of Brig. General Dwayne Alons, who also served in the Iowa House for eight terms, I have been blessed with an extraordinary example of service before self.

My military service has always been as a traditional, part-time member. My full-time employment has been software and database development. Eventually, I started a software consulting firm, Alons Software, which assists a wide range of companies with software architectural, integration, and performance objectives.

I have been active as a volunteer in many capacities around our Siouxland community: I have coached middle school basketball and soccer, taught children’s Sunday school, driven the church bus, served on the worship team, and served as a board member at Morningside Assembly.  I am also a member of the American Legion.

In addition to helping my father run for office, my political experience includes two terms as chair, and one term as treasurer, of the Woodbury Republican Central Committee. I also served as president of the Judicial Action Group, which worked to increase voter awareness of, and participation in, judicial retention elections.

Ngu and I have been married for 30 years. We have three adult children. In addition to our two daughters and a son, we welcomed a son-in-law to our family in 2018. Recently, our family grew again as they blessed us with a grandson! 

I am running for Iowa Senate because I believe Iowa has become a “beacon of hope” to the nation. It is my intention to promote public policy that honors God, cherishes and supports the family, and respects the values and traditions of our past.  As the words of our Iowa motto so clearly state, “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.”

He graduated from Villisca High School in 1971 and from Iowa Western Community College in 1973. Senator Shipley earned a Bachelor’s of Science in agriculture education in 1975 from Iowa State University.

After graduating from Iowa State University, he taught VoAg from 1975 to 1978 at Fremont-Mills High School.

He has devoted much of his life to agriculture, working as a livestock production specialist for Land O’ Lakes, a feed department manager at United Farmers Merc. Coop, and director of issues and policy management for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.

Senator Shipley has one daughter, a son-in-law and one granddaughter.

He always has been active in the community, serving 18 years as a member on the Villisca School Board, 22 years in the Villisca Volunteer Ambulance Service, and as an elder, deacon, Sunday school teacher and choir member in the First Presbyterian Church. Senator Shipley also served as board member on the Mills/Montgomery County Cattlemen’s Association, Adams County Cattlemen’s Association, and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association District 18 director. He additionally served as the Iowa membership co-chair.

Senator Shipley also has small farming operation and cow herd in Nodaway.

Senator Julian Garrett is a retired attorney and farmer in the southern part of Warren County, where he lives with his wife, Nancy. They have three sons who have graduated with engineering degrees from Iowa State University.

Senator Garrett grew up on a Marion County farm where he learned about hard work and personal responsibility. He has raised purebred Charolais cattle for many years and is a long time Farm Bureau member. Senator Garrett is a member of the Lutheran Church.

He graduated from Central College in Pella and the University of Iowa Law School. Senator Garrett is a life-long Republican and has been a member of the Warren County Republican Central Committee for more than 40 years. He twice served as Ronald Reagan’s campaign chairman in the former 5th Congressional District.

Always willing to give his time to our young people, Senator Garrett was a volunteer Little League and soccer coach for more than 12 years. He served on the Indianola Little League Board of Directors for many years, and directed the County Little League post-season tournament for Warren and surrounding counties for several years. In addition, he coached middle school mock trial teams, two of which reached the state tournament.

Senator Garrett served 12 years as Iowa’s Assistant Attorney General in Charge of Consumer Protection when that office was first established. He was elected to the Iowa House in 2010 and was re-elected in 2012. He was then elected to the Iowa Senate in a special election on November 19, 2013 and re-elected in 2014. Senator Garrett was re-elected for his second term in 2018, and his third term in 2022.

Senate District 12   Amy Sinclair     Republican Party    amy.sinclair@legis.iowa.gov

Senate District 14   Sarah Trone Garriott   Democrat Party    sarah.trone.garriott@legis.iowa.gov

Senate District 15    Tony Bisignano     Democrat Party    tony.bisignano@legis.iowa.gov

Senate District 16     Claire Celsi    Democrat Party   claire.celsi@legis.iowa.gov

Claire Celsi is a small business owner and community volunteer. She dedicates her free time to advocating for public education through the group Iowans for Public Education, a grassroots group she helped to activate.

Senator Celsi was born and raised in Des Moines and has spent her career in the non-profit, political and advertising agency world before starting her business in 2009. She works with small to medium-sized companies, nonprofits and government agencies to help them get noticed through public relations, marketing and grassroots advocacy. Some of her former clients include the Des Moines Water Works, the Iowa Lottery, Iowa Economic Development Authority, the Iowa Tourism Bureau, SILT, Kinze Manufacturing, Weitz Construction Company, the Ethanol industry – and many other organizations.

A graduate of Drake University, Celsi returns as often as she can to guest lecture or participate in panel discussions or resume workshops to help students learn how to navigate the post-college world. Claire was also an adjunct at Drake, teaching courses in internet marketing, public relations writing and social media.

In an effort to serve the public and gain knowledge about the community, Celsi has served on many boards of directors over the past 20 years, including Iowa Great Places, the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Commission, Beacon of Life, Central Iowa Shelter and Services and the West Des Moines Board of Adjustment.

Senator Celsi currently serves on the Family Development and Self-Sufficiency Council and the Early Childhood Iowa board and the Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communications National Advisory Board. Senator Celsi serves on the Historic Valley Junction Foundation Board of Directors. She’s a founding member of the Iowa Housing Partnership, a coalition that advocates for better affordable housing policy. Celsi is a member of the Latino College Action Network advisory board, a program operated through the Iowa Department of Human Rights.

Grassroots advocacy has been the hallmark of Claire’s political involvement over the years. When there’s an issue that needs to be solved, Claire gets to work, finds allies and gets it done. She was deeply involved in the movement to ban smoking in public places, has advocated for affordable housing projects in West Des Moines and is very active in making sure that public schools are not privatized in Iowa.

Senator Claire Celsi and her granddaughter, Mia.

In the Senate, her priorities are preserving and protecting Iowa’s public schools from privatization, restoring reproductive healthcare in Iowa, the civil rights of all Iowans, affordable quality healthcare, clean water and mental healthcare funding.

Claire is the mother of two adult children and the very proud Grandma of five-year-old Mia. Claire wants to make sure Mia has a strong public school system to attend, clean drinking water and doesn’t have to pay student loans until she turns 50.

Senator Celsi invites you to keep up with her work in the Iowa Senate.

Senate District 17     Izaah Knox    Democrat Party    izaah.knox@legis.iowa.gov

Senate District       24       Jesse Green      Republican Party    jesse.green@legis.iowa.gov

Senator Jesse Green is a fifth-generation farmer, born and raised just outside of Harcourt. He farms corn, beans, oats, hay, bucking horses for rodeo and riding purposes, and longhorn cattle for roping with his father, brother and nephew. He also previously has taught Bible classes to 5th-8th graders at Community Christian School in Fort Dodge. Senator Green is currently volunteering by teaching Pilgrims Progress at Trinity Lutheran School in Boone.

Senator Green has been engaged in his community since joining the Webster County Farm Bureau and the Dayton Rodeo and Celebration Committee at age 24. He served the Dayton Rodeo for over six years in various positions including chairman for many of those years. He is the youngest chairman in Dayton rodeo history, which spans over 80 years. Additionally, he received the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Top 10 Under 40 Young Professionals Award in 2017.

Senate District      25        Herman Quirmbach     Democrat Party    herman.quirmbach@legis.iowa.gov

Senate District 26      Kara Warme     Republican Party    @legis.iowa.gov

Senate District 35    Formerly Chris Cournoyer       Republican Party      @legis.iowa.gov

OPEN

Senate District 36      Thomas Townsend     Democrat Party    @legis.iowa.gov

Senate District 41    Kerry Gruenhagen     Republican Party        kerry.gruenhagen@legis.iowa.gov

 Kerry has been married to his wife Kali for 8 years. Together they have a blended family with a son, three daughters, and two grandchildren. He has lived in Walcott most of his 52 years. Kerry and his family are members of Risen Christ Lutheran Church in Davenport.

​Kerry is a 5th generation farmer, and a small business owner.  He enjoys the opportunity to farm with his father and his son in Scott and Muscatine Counties, while also maintaining investments in Davenport.

With professional and personal connections in Cedar, Scott, and Muscatine Counties, Kerry is uniquely suited to serve the citizens of Senate District 41 in urban, rural, and agricultural issues in the State legislature. 

​Kerry has been a member of the Muscatine County Farm Bureau since 1994 and a member of the Muscatine Board since 2010. In addition to serving on various board committees, he has served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and recently completed his term as board President. 

​Kerry is an organizer and former co-host of the Quad City Conservative Breakfast Club, an informational discussion group. 

Kerry is an advocate for agriculture, economic growth, and conservative policies.