Democrat Scott Ourth will run for the Iowa House in the new district 26 next year, he announced today. Indianola is the population center of the district, which covers most of southeast and northern Warren County, excluding Cumming and Norwalk. Ourth lost to Republican Glen Massie by about 950 votes (51 to 44 percent) in Warren County-based Iowa House district 74 in 2010. Taking out Norwalk gives the new district 26 slightly better Democratic performance, but it is still a swing area containing 6,927 registered Democrats, 6,417 Republicans and 6,755 no-party voters as of April 2011. After the jump I’ve posted a district map and Ourth’s campaign announcement.

Ourth works as public affairs director for the non-profit organization Disability Rights IOWA. He was previously director of public affairs for Warren County, and before that worked for Iowa House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Ourth has worked on numerous Democratic campaigns, including Tom Vilsack’s first gubernatorial race, Chet Culver’s 2006 run for governor, and Representative Leonard Boswell’s re-election efforts in 1998, 2000 and 2008. Warren County isn’t in Boswell’s current Congressional district, but it was part of the territory he represented during the 1990s and is in the third Congressional district again under Iowa’s new map. In order to beat Representative Tom Latham, Boswell will need strong Democratic turnout in Warren County (among other things). Ourth could benefit from GOTV efforts for the Congressional campaign.

Ourth’s likely opponent, first-term State Representative Massie, irritated House leaders earlier this year when he helped prevent a 20-week abortion ban from getting out of the Human Resources Committee. Republican blogger Craig Robinson wrote last month, “Without help from the Kent Sorenson and others on the ticket, Massie is going to struggle. [The Iowa Republican] has also heard that Massie is telling people that he may not seek re-election.”

Friday, May 13, 2011                                                                                                            For More Information, Contact:        

                                                                                                                                          Scott Ourth, 515-208-7281

Ourth to Run for State Representative in Warren County

Community leader and volunteer Scott Ourth announced today that he will run for the Iowa House in District 26 in Warren County. Due to redistricting, the Warren County district does not include Norwalk but is comprised of the eastern side of the county, including Indianola, Carlisle, Martensdale, Hartford, Palmyra, Lacona and Liberty Center.

“I will listen to the people of Warren County and work to strengthen our economy and create good-paying jobs,” said Ourth. “If Iowa is going to thrive, we need a highly skilled workforce ready to compete for jobs in today’s global economy.”

Ourth is currently the public affairs director at Disability Rights IOWA, which is a not-for-profit advocacy and protection group for Iowans with disabilities. In a previous position as Director of Public Affairs for Warren County, Ourth landed $1.7 million in grants to renovate the People’s Bank Building on the square in Indianola, build a wind turbine at the Annett Nature Center in Warren County, and make improvements at the Warren County Fairgrounds, National Balloon Classic, Summerset State Park, and Lake Ahquabi State Park.

“My passion has always been helping friends, family, neighbors and people with disabilities,” added Ourth.  “With a son in middle school, I’m also committed to raising standards in our schools and keeping class sizes low.”

Ourth has served in a variety of other public service roles at both the state and federal levels.  He is on the Graceland Alumni Board of Directors and is an active member of the Community of Christ Church.  He is a member of the Indianola Noon Lions Club and a former board member of the Warren County Leadership Institute. Scott has volunteered to help raise money for the American Cancer Society and has hiked the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail to raise money and awareness for children with intellectual disabilities.

Scott is married to Dr. Heather Ourth, who is a pharmacy benefits analyst with the United States Veteran’s Administration (VA) in Des Moines.  Their son, Logan, is a seventh grader at Emerson Elementary School in Indianola. They reside in Ackworth.