Who's who in the Iowa House for 2019

The Iowa House opened its 2019 session today with 54 Republicans and 46 Democrats. State Representative Michael Bergan was sworn in for a second term, even though his Democratic opponent Kayla Koether is contesting the outcome. A special committee will consider her complaint in the coming weeks.

The new state representatives include 66 men and 34 women (24 Democrats and ten Republicans, record numbers for both parties).

Four African Americans (Democrats Ako Abdul-Samad, Ruth Ann Gaines, Ras Smith, and Phyllis Thede) will serve in the legislature’s lower chamber; the other 96 lawmakers are white. No Latino has ever been elected to the Iowa House, and there has not been an Asian-American member since Swati Dandekar moved up to the state Senate following the 2008 election. Democratic State Representative Liz Bennett is the only out LGBTQ member of the lower chamber. To my knowledge, Abdul-Samad (who is Muslim) is the only lawmaker in either chamber to practice a religion other than Christianity.

After the jump I’ve posted details on the Iowa House majority and minority leadership teams, along with all chairs, vice chairs, and members of standing House committees. Where relevant, I’ve noted significant changes since last year.

Some non-political trivia: the Iowa House includes two Smiths (both Democrats), while the other 98 members have different surnames. As for popular first names, there are six Davids (four go by Dave), four Marys (one goes by Mary Ann), three Roberts (a Rob, a Bob, and a Bobby), three men named Thomas (two go by Tom), three Johns and two Jons, and three men each named Gary and Brian. There are also two Elizabeths (a Beth and a Liz) and two men each named Bruce, Chris, Jeff, Michael (one goes by Mike), and Charles (a Chuck and a Charlie).

Iowa House Republican leadership team

Linda Upmeyer remains speaker for a fourth year. First elected in 2002, Upmeyer represents House district 54, covering all of Franklin County and parts of Cerro Gordo and Butler counties.

Chris Hagenow begins his fourth year as majority leader, having previously served as majority whip for three sessions, starting in 2013. First elected in 2008, Hagenow previously represented House district 43 but moved to safer territory in 2018 and now represents House district 19, covering parts of Dallas County.

Matt Windschitl will continue to serve as House speaker pro tem. He was first elected in 2006 and represents House district 17, covering all of Ida and Monona Counties and parts of Harrison and Woodbury Counties.

John Wills is the new House majority whip. He was an assistant leader last year and represents House district 1, covering Lyon County, Osceola County, and part of Dickinson County. For the past two years, Zach Nunn served as majority whip, but in 2018 he ran successfully for the state Senate instead.

Three of the four assistant majority leaders are new to that role:

  • Jacob Bossman was first elected in a 2018 special election and represents House district 6, covering parts of Woodbury county.
  • Dan Huseman was first elected in 1994 and represents House district 3, covering O’Brien and Cherokee Counties and parts of Sioux and Plymouth.
  • Mike Sexton was first elected in 2014 and represents House district 10, covering Humboldt, Pocahontas, and Calhoun counties, plus part of Webster County. He was on the leadership team for the past two years.
  • Louis Zumbach was first elected in 2016 and represents House district 95, covering parts of Linn and Buchanan counties.
  • Last year, Jarad Klein and Megan Jones were assistant leaders, but they will chair committees instead.

    Iowa House Democratic leadership team

    Todd Prichard was unchallenged for minority leader in November . He has served in the House since winning a 2013 special election and represents House district 52, covering Chickasaw and Floyd counties, along with a small area of Cerro Gordo County. Mark Smith was minority leader from 2013 through late 2018, but he did not seek the position again after Democrats failed to win a majority in November.

    Jo Oldson will serve as minority whip. For several years, Democrats had not chosen anyone for that role. Oldson was first elected in 2002 and represents House district 41, covering part of Des Moines.

    Three of the four assistant minority leaders are new to that role.

  • Wes Breckenridge was first elected in 2016 and represents House district 29, covering most of Jasper County, including Newton.
  • John Forbes was first elected in 2012 and represents House district 40, covering Urbandale in Polk County.
  • Brian Meyer was first elected in a 2013 special election and represents House district 33, covering parts of Des Moines in Polk County. He was on the leadership team last year.
  • Sharon Steckman was first elected in 2008 and represents House district 53, covering part of Cerro Gordo County, including Mason City.
  • Among last year’s assistant minority leaders, Helen Miller retired and Bruce Bearinger and Liz Bennett will be ranking members on committees.

    Iowa House Standing Committees

    Administration and Rules

    Chair: Louis Zumbach (see above) Last year Mike Sexton chaired this committee.
    Vice Chair: Jacob Bossman (see above) Last year Jarad Klein was vice chair.
    Ranking member: Phyllis Thede was first elected in 2008 and represents House district 93, covering parts of Davenport and Bettendorf in Scott County. Last year Timothy Kacena was ranking member on this committee.

    Other members: Chris Hagenow (R), Dan Huseman (R), Mike Sexton (R), Linda Upmeyer (R), John Wills (R), Matt Windschitl (R), Wes Breckenridge (D), John Forbes (D), Brian Meyer (D), Jo Oldson (D), Todd Prichard (D), Sharon Steckman (D)

    Agriculture

    Chair: Ross Paustian served a term in the Iowa House, lost his re-election bid in 2012 to Frank Wood, defeated Wood in 2014, and was re-elected in 2016 to represent House district 92, covering part of Scott County. Last year Lee Hein chaired this committee.
    Vice Chair: David Sieck won a February 2015 special election to represent House district 23, covering Mills and Fremont counties, plus most of Montgomery County. Last year Chuck Holz was vice chair, but he retired.
    Ranking member: Bruce Bearinger was first elected in 2012 and represents House district 64, covering most of Buchanan County and about half of Fayette County. Last year Todd Prichard was ranking member on this committee.

    Other members: Thomas Gerhold (R), Terry Baxter (R), Jarad Klein (R), Lee Hein (R), John Wills (R), Norlin Mommsen (R), Dave Maxwell (R), David Kerr (R), Mike Sexton (R), Louis Zumbach (R), Wes Breckenridge (D), Dennis Cohoon (D), Rick Olson (D), Chuck Isenhart (D), Scott Ourth (D), Dave Williams (D), Cindy Winckler (D), Mary Wolfe (D), Ras Smith (D), Ako Abdul-Samad (D)

    Appropriations

    Chair: Pat Grassley was first elected in 2006 and represents House district 50, covering Grundy County and parts of Hardin and Butler.
    Vice Chair: Ray Sorenson was just elected for the first time in House district 20, covering all of Guthrie and Adair Counties and parts of Cass and Dallas counties. Last year Ashley Hinson was vice chair on this committee.
    Ranking member: Chris Hall was first elected in 2010 and represents House district 13, covering part of Sioux City and eastern Woodbury County.

    Administration and Regulation Appropriations Subcommittee Chair: John Landon was first elected in 2012 and represents House district 37, covering Ankeny in Polk County.
    Vice Chair: Louis Zumbach (see above)
    Administration & Regulation Appropriations Subcommittee ranking member: Timi Brown-Powers was first elected in 2014 and represents House district 61, covering parts of Waterloo in Black Hawk County.

    Other Administration & Regulation Appropriations Subcommittee members: Dean Fisher (R), Jane Bloomingdale (R), Stan Gustafson (R), Bruce Hunter (D), Ako Abdul-Samad (D), Karin Derry (D)

    Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee Chair: Norlin Mommsen was first elected in 2014 and represents House district 97, covering part of Scott County and much of Clinton County outside the city of Clinton.
    Vice Chair: Anne Osmundson was just elected for the first time in 2018 to represent House district 56, covering Allamakee County and most of Clayton County. Last year Louis Zumbach was vice chair of this subcommittee.
    Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee ranking member: Chuck Isenhart was first elected in 2008 and represents House district 100, covering part of Dubuque. Last year Scott Ourth was ranking member on this subcommittee.
    Other Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee members: Rob Bacon (R), Ross Paustian (R), Jon Jacobsen (R), Bruce Bearinger (D), Scott Ourth (D), Ras Smith (D)

    Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee Chair: Brian Best was first elected in 2014 and represents House district 12, covering Carroll and Audubon counties and part of Crawford County.
    Vice Chair: Thomas Gerhold was just elected for the first time in House district 75, covering Benton County and part of Iowa County. Last year Tedd Gassman was vice chair of the subcommittee.
    Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee ranking member: Kirsten Running-Marquardt was first elected in a 2009 special election and represents House district 69, covering part of Cedar Rapids as well as parts of southwestern Linn County.
    Other Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee members: Mary Ann Hanusa (R), Jeff Shipley (R), Skyler Wheeler (R), Mary Gaskill (D), Tracy Ehlert (D), Heather Matson (D)

    Education Appropriations Subcommittee Chair: David Kerr was first elected in 2016 in House district 88, covering all of Louisa County and large parts of Des Moines and Muscatine Counties. Last year Cecil Dolecheck chaired this subcommittee.
    Vice Chair: Tom Moore first won a 2015 special election and represents House district 21, covering all of Union and Adams counties, most of Cass County, and some rural areas in Pottawattamie County.
    Education Appropriations Subcommittee ranking member: Cindy Winckler was first elected in 2002 and represents House district 90, covering part of Davenport in Scott County.
    Other Education Appropriations Subcommittee members: Ted Gassman (R), Joe Mitchell (R), Cecil Dolecheck (R), Jennifer Konfrst (D), Charlie McConkey (D), Dave Williams (D)

    Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee Chair: Joel Fry was first elected in 2008 and represents House district 27, covering Clarke, Decatur, and Wayne Counties, and part of Lucas County. Last year Dave Heaton chaired this subcommittee, but he retired.
    Vice Chair: Michael Bergan was first elected in 2016 in House district 55, covering parts of Winneshiek, Fayette, and Clayton counties. Last year Rob Taylor chaired this subcommittee, but he retired.
    Health & Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee ranking member: Lisa Heddens was first elected in 2002 and represents House district 46, covering part of Ames and Story County.
    Other Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee members: Tom Jeneary (R), Ann Meyer (R), Shannon Lundgren (R), Molly Donahue (D), Kenan Judge (D), Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D)

    Justice Systems Appropriations Subcommittee Chair: Gary Worthan was first elected in 2006 and represents House district 11, covering all of Buena Vista and Sac Counties.
    Vice Chair: Mike Sexton (see above) Last year David Sieck was vice chair of this subcommittee.
    Justice Systems Appropriations Subcommittee ranking member: Marti Anderson was first elected in 2012 and represents House district 36, covering part of northwestern Des Moines in Polk County. Last year Wes Breckenridge was ranking member on this sub committee.
    Other Justice Systems Appropriations Subcommittee members: Jacob Bossman (R), Dustin Hite (R), Steven Holt (R), Lindsay James (D), Kristin Sunde (D), Tim Kacena (D)

    Transportation, Infrastructure and Capitals Appropriations Subcommittee Chair: Gary Mohr was first elected in 2016 in House district 94, covering Bettendorf and some other parts of Scott County. Last year Dan Huseman chaired this subcommittee.
    Vice Chair: Phil Thompson was just elected for the first time in 2018 and represents House district 47, covering most of Boone County and all of Greene County. Last year Skyler Wheeler was vice chair of this subcommittee.
    Transportation, Infrastructure and Capitals Appropriations Subcommittee ranking member: Dennis Cohoon was first elected to the Iowa House in 1986 and represents House district 87, covering Burlington and part of eastern Des Moines County.
    Other Transportation, Infrastructure and Capitals Appropriations Subcommittee members: Ashley Hinson (R), Dan Huseman (R), Jon Thorup (R), Mary Mascher (D), Jeff Kurtz (D), Liz Bennett (D)

    Other Appropriations Committee members: Brian Best (R), Holly Brink (R), Mike Sexton (R), Joel Fry (R), Dave Deyoe (R), Ashley Hinson (R), David Kerr (R), Dan Huseman (R), Gary Mohr (R), Norlin Mommsen (R), Gary Worthan (R), John Wills (R), Mike Sexton (R), Bruce Bearinger (D), Wes Breckenridge (D), Liz Bennett (D), Lisa Heddens (D), Jo Oldson (D), Kirsten Running-Marquardt (D), Dave Williams (D), Phyllis Thede (D), Cindy Winckler (D), Mary Mascher (D)

    Commerce

    Chair: Gary Carlson was first elected in 2014 and represenst House district 91, covering part of Muscatine County. Last year Peter Cownie chaired this committee.
    Vice Chair: Jon Jacobsen won a 2017 special election and was just re-elected in House district 22, covering most of Pottawattamie County outside Council Bluffs. Last year Gary Mohr was vice chair of this committee.
    Ranking member: Amy Nielsen was first elected in 2016 and represents House district 77, covering much of Johnson County outside Iowa City and Coralville. Last year Jo Oldson was ranking member on this committee.

    Other members: Brian Best (R), Jane Bloomingdale (R), Pat Grassley (R), John Landon (R), Joe Mitchell (R), Dean Fisher (R), Shannon Lundgren (R), Dave Deyoe (R), John Wills (R), Ray Sorensen (R), Gary Mohr (R), John Forbes (D), Dave Jacoby (D), Brian Meyer (D), Bob Kressig (D), Charlie McConkey (D), Chris Hall (D), Kenan Judge (D), Dave Williams (D), Jo Oldson (D)

    Economic Growth

    Chair: Skyler Wheeler was elected for the first time in 2016 in House district 4, covering most of Sioux County. Last year Mary Ann Hanusa chaired this committee.
    Vice Chair: Holly Brink was just elected for the first time in House district 80, covering Monroe and Appanoose Counties and parts of Mahaska and Wapello Counties. Last year Shannon Lundgren was vice chair.
    Ranking member: Liz Bennett was first elected in 2014 and represents House district 65, covering parts of Cedar Rapids in Linn County. Last year Mary Gaskill was ranking member on this committee.
    Other members: Terry Baxter (R), Gary Carlson (R), Ted Gassman (R), Dan Huseman (R), Brian Lohse (R), Stan Gustafson (R), Ann Meyer (R), Louis Zumbach (R), Shannon Lundgren (R), Tracy Ehlert (D), Chris Hall (D), Dave Jacoby (D), Kenan Judge (D), Heather Matson (D), Charlie McConkey (D), Kirsten Running-Marquardt (D), Scott Ourth (D), Mary Gaskill (D)

    Education

    Chair: Cecil Dolecheck was first elected in 1996 and represents House district 24, covering Ringgold, Taylor and Page Counties and part of Montgomery County. Last year Walt Rogers chaired this committee, but he lost his re-election bid.
    Vice Chair: Tedd Gassman was first elected in 2012 and represents House district 7, covering Emmet, Winnebago, and part of Kossuth County. Last year Jon Jacobsen was vice chair of this committee.
    Ranking member: Ras Smith was first elected in 2016 and represents House district 62, covering part of Waterloo in Black Hawk County. Last year Sharon Steckman was ranking member on this committee.

    Other members: Holly Brink (R), Joel Fry (R), David Kerr (R), Ann Meyer (R), Mary Ann Hanusa (R), Tom Moore (R), Jeff Shipley (R), Norlin Mommsen (R), Sandy Salmon (R), Skyler Wheeler (R), Molly Donahue (D), Tracy Ehlert (D), Ruth Ann Gaines (D), Lindsay James (D), Mary Mascher (D), Monica Kurth (D), Art Staed (D), Sharon Steckman (D), Cindy Winckler, Heather Matson (D)

    Environmental Protection

    Chair: Dean Fisher was first elected in 2012 and represents House district 72, covering Tama County and parts of Marshall and Black Hawk Counties. Last year Ross Paustian chaired this committee.
    Vice Chair: Jeff Shipley was just elected for the first time in 2018 and represents House district 82, covering Davis and Van Buren counties and much of Jefferson and Wapello counties. Last year Andy McKean was vice chair on this committee.
    Ranking member: Vicki Lensing was first elected in 2002 and represents House district 85, covering part of Iowa City in Johnson County. Last year Chuck Isenhart was ranking member on this committee.
    Other members: Rob Bacon (R), Thomas Gerhold (R), Tedd Gassman (R), Lee Hein (R), Jarad Klein (R), Andy McKean (R), Ross Paustian (R), Mike Sexton (R), Tom Moore (R), Marti Anderson (D), Ako Abdul-Samad (D), Molly Donahue (D), Heather Matson (D), Art Staed (D), Sharon Steckman (D), Cindy Winckler (D), Kristin Sunde (D), Mary Wolfe (D)

    Ethics

    Chair: Andy McKean previously served in the state Senate and was first elected to the Iowa House in 2016 to represent House district 58, covering Jackson County and parts of Jones and Dubuque counties. Last year Rob Taylor chaired this committee, but he retired.
    Vice Chair: Jon Jacobsen (see above) Last year Terry Baxter was vice chair of this committee.
    Ranking member: Mary Gaskill was first elected in 2002 and represents House district 81, covering Ottumwa and some surrounding areas in Wapello County. Last year Phyllis Thede was ranking member on this committee.
    Other members: Anne Osmundson (R), Dennis Cohoon (D), Mark Smith (D)

    Government Oversight

    Chair: Mary Ann Hanusa was first elected in 2010 and represents House district 16, covering part of Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County. Last year Bobby Kaufmann chaired this committee.
    Vice Chair: Terry Baxter was first elected in 2014 and represents House district 8, covering Wright and Hancock counties, plus part of Kossuth County. Last year Greg Heartsill was vice chair of this committee, but he retired.
    Ranking member: Ruth Ann Gaines was first elected in 2010 and represents House district 32, covering parts of central Des Moines in Polk County.
    Other members: Bobby Kaufmann (R), Jarad Klein (R), Jon Thorup (R), Vicki Lensing (D), Mary Wolfe (D), Mark Smith (D)

    Human Resources

    Chair: Shannon Lundgren was first elected in 2016 and represents House district 57, covering most of Dubuque County outside the city of Dubuque. Last year Joel Fry chaired this committee.
    Vice Chair: Ann Meyer was just elected for the first time in House district 9, covering part of Webster County. Last year Michael Bergan was vice chair of this committee.
    Ranking member: Beth Wessel-Kroeschell was first elected in 2004 and represents House district 45, covering part of Ames in Story County.
    Other members: Brian Best (R), Michael Bergan (R), Rob Bacon (R), Tom Moore (R), Joel Fry (R), Holly Brink (R), Sandy Salmon (R), Anne Osmundson (R), Cecil Dolecheck (R), Karin Derry (D), Marti Anderson (D), John Forbes (D), Lisa Heddens (D), Timi Brown-Powers (D), Lindsay James (D), Kristin Sunde (D), Heather Matson (D), Jennifer Konfrst (D)

    International Relations

    Chair: Terry Baxter was first elected in 2014 and represents House district 8, covering Wright and Hancock counties, plus part of Kossuth County.
    Ranking member: Ako Abdul-Samad was first elected in 2006 and represents House district 35, covering central and north-side neighborhoods in Des Moines.
    Other members: Thomas Gerhold (R), Brian Lohse (R), Karin Derry (D), Heather Matson (D)

    Judiciary

    Chair: Steve Holt was first elected in 2014 and represents House district 18, covering Shelby County and parts of Crawford and Harrison counties. Last year Zach Nunn stepped in to replace Chip Baltimore as chair. Nunn moved up to the Iowa Senate and Baltimore retired.
    Vice Chair: Dustin Hite was just elected for the first time in 2018 and represents House district 79, covering most of Mahaska County and the Pella area of Marion County. Last year Greg Heartsill was vice chair, but he retired.
    Ranking member: Mary Wolfe was first elected in 2010 and represents House district 98, covering part of Clinton County, including the city of Clinton.
    Other members: Stan Gustafson (R), Bobby Kaufmann (R), Jarad Klein (R), Ashley Hinson (R), Brian Lohse (R), Andy McKean (R), Megan Jones (R), Ross Paustian (R), Joe Mitchell (R), Michael Bergan (R), Liz Bennett (D), Karin Derry (D), Jennifer Konfrst (D), Jo Oldson (D), Rick Olson (D), Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D), Brian Meyer (D), Kristin Sunde (D)

    Labor

    Chair: Dave Deyoe was first elected in 2006 and represents House district 49, covering parts of Story and Hardin Counties.
    Vice Chair: Dan Huseman (see above) Last year Larry Sheets was vice chair, but he retired.
    Ranking member: Bruce Hunter was first elected in a 2003 special election and represents House district 34, covering downtown Des Moines and part of the south side.
    Other members: Jon Jacobsen (R), Holly Brink (R), Mary Ann Hanusa (R), Cecil Dolecheck (R), Pat Grassley (R), Phil Thompson (R), Gary Worthan (R), Timi Brown-Powers (D), Tracy Ehlert (D), Charlie McConkey (D), Kirsten Running-Marquardt (D), Jeff Kurtz (D), Monica Kurth (D), Tim Kacena (D)

    Local Government

    Chair: Jane Bloomingdale was first elected in 2016 and represents House district 51, covering Worth, Mitchell, and Howard Counties, and part of Winneshiek. Last year Jake Highfill chaired this committee, but he lost his re-election bid.
    Vice Chair: Brian Lohse was just elected for the first time in 2018 and represents House district 30, covering parts of eastern Polk County. Last year Kristi Hager was vice chair, but she retired.
    Ranking member: Art Staed was elected in 2012 and represents House district 66 in Cedar Rapids. He previously served one term in the House (2007-2008).
    Other members: Jacob Bossman (R), Dustin Hite (R), Tedd Gassman (R), Jeff Shipley (R), Phil Thompson (R), Megan Jones (R), Matt Windschitl (R), Andy McKean (R), Mary Ann Hanusa (R), Tracy Ehlert (D), Mary Gaskill (D), Bruce Hunter (D), Vicki Lensing (D), Tim Kacena (D), Phyllis Thede (D), Bob Kressig (D), Amy Nielsen (D), Ruth Ann Gaines (D)

    Natural Resources

    Chair: Rob Bacon was first elected to the Iowa House in 2012 and represents House district 48, covering Hamilton County and parts of Webster, Boone, and Story Counties.
    Vice Chair: Tom Jeneary was just elected for the first time in 2018 and represents House district 5, covering most of Plymouth and parts of Woodbury County. Last year Dean Fisher was vice chair.
    Ranking member: Scott Ourth was first elected in 2012 and represents House district 26, covering most of Warren County. Last year Amy Nielsen was ranking member on this committee.
    Other members: Terry Baxter (R), Dean Fisher (R), Jeff Shipley (R), Norlin Mommsen (R), David Sieck (R), Anne Osmundson (R), Dave Maxwell (R), Jon Thorup (R), Louis Zumbach (R), Bruce Bearinger (D), Wes Breckenridge (D), Dave Jacoby (D), Chris Hall (D), Chuck Isenhart (D), Mark Smith (D), Phyllis Thede (D), Sharon Steckman (D), Art Staed (D)

    Public Safety

    Chair: Jarad Klein was first elected in 2010 and represents House district 78, covering Keokuk County and most of Washington County. Last year Clel Baudler chaired this committee, but he retired.
    Vice Chair: Jon Thorup was just elected for the first time in 2018 and represents, House district 28, covering parts of Marion, Jasper, and Lucas Counties. Last year David Kerr was vice chair.
    Ranking member: Tim Kacena was first elected in 2016 and represents House district 14, covering the west side of Sioux City in Woodbury County.
    Other members: Dean Fisher (R), Joel Fry (R), Tom Jeneary (R), Gary Mohr (R), Ross Paustian (R), Matt Windschitl (R), Sandy Salmon (R), Gary Worthan (R), David Kerr (R), Ako Abdul-Samad (D), Wes Breckenridge (D), Kristin Sunde (D), Jeff Kurtz (D), Bob Kressig (D), Rick Olson (D), Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D), Monica Kurth (D), Phyllis Thede (D)

    State Government

    Chair: Bobby Kaufmann was first elected in 2012 and represents House district 73, covering Cedar County, part of Johnson County, and one town in Muscatine County. Last year Ken Rizer chaired this committee, but he retired.
    Vice Chair: Joe Mitchell was just elected for the first time and represents House district 84, covering Henry County and parts of Lee, Washington and Jefferson counties. Last year Kevin Koester was vice chair, but he lost his re-election bid.
    Ranking member: Mary Mascher was first elected in 1994 and represents House district 86, covering part of Iowa City, University Heights, and some other areas in Johnson County.
    Other members: Rob Bacon (R), Jacob Bossman (R), Tom Moore (R), Michael Bergan (R), Dave Deyoe (R), Ashley Hinson (R), Jon Jacobsen (R), Andy McKean (R), Mike Sexton (R), Ray Sorensen (R), Phil Thompson (R), Dennis Cohoon (D), Bruce Hunter (D), Karin Derry (D), Jennifer Konfrst (D), Sharon Steckman (D), Vicki Lensing (D), Amy Nielsen (D), Marti Anderson (D), Molly Donahue (D)

    Transportation

    Chair: Ashley Hinson was elected for the first time in 2016 in House district 67, representing some suburbs in Linn County. Last year Gary Carlson chaired this committee.
    Vice Chair: Dave Maxwell was first elected in 2012 and represents House district 76, covering Poweshiek County and most of Iowa County.
    Ranking member: Bob Kressig was first elected in 2002 and represents House district 59, covering Cedar Falls in Black Hawk County. Last year John Forbes was ranking member.
    Other members: Gary Carlson (R), Brian Best (R), Dan Huseman (R), Brian Lohse (R), Ann Meyer (R), John Landon (R), Jon Thorup (R), David Sieck (R), Gary Worthan (R), Dennis Cohoon (D), John Forbes (D), Lisa Heddens (D), Kenan Judge (D), Brian Meyer (D), Dave Williams (D), Ras Smith (D), Chuck Isenhart (D), Jeff Kurtz (D)

    Veterans Affairs

    Chair: Sandy Salmon was first elected in 2012 and represents House district 63, covering Bremer County and parts of Black Hawk County. Last year Steve Holt chaired this committee.
    Vice Chair: Stan Gustafson was first elected in a 2015 special election and represents House district 25, covering Madison County and part of Warren County. Last year Sandy Salmon was vice-chair.
    Ranking member: Monica Kurth was first elected in a 2017 special election and represents House district 89, covering part of Davenport in Scott County. Last year Jerry Kearns was ranking member, but he retired.
    Other members: Dustin Hite (R), Tom Jeneary (R), Shannon Lundgren (R), Ray Sorensen (R), Phil Thompson (R), Skyler Wheeler (R), John Wills (R), Ruth Ann Gaines (D), Liz Bennett (D), Timothy Kacena (D), Wes Breckenridge (D), Timi Brown-Powers (D), Scott Ourth (D), Mark Smith (D)

    Ways and Means

    Chair: Lee Hein was first elected in 2010 and represents House district 96, covering all of Delaware County and part of Jones County. Last year Guy Vander Linden chaired this committee, but he retired. House leaders tapped Peter Cownie to lead Ways and Means last May, but he lost his re-election bid.
    Vice Chair: Jacob Bossman (see above) Last year Jane Bloomingdale was vice chair.
    Ranking member: Dave Jacoby was first elected in a 2003 special election and represents House district 74, covering part of Johnson County.
    Other members: Jane Bloomingdale (R), Gary Carlson (R), Dustin Hite (R), Steve Holt (R), Megan Jones (R), Anne Osmundson (R), Skyler Wheeler (R), Bobby Kaufmann (R), Dave Maxwell (R), Louis Zumbach (R), Matt Windschitl (R), David Sieck (R), Timi Brown-Powers (D), Mary Gaskill (D), Chuck Isenhart (D), John Forbes (D), Mary Wolfe (D), Charlie McConkey (D), Lindsay James (D), Jeff Kurtz (D), Monica Kurth (D), Amy Nielsen

    Administrative Rules Review

    Five Iowa House and five Iowa Senate members serve on this committee.
    Chair: Megan Jones was first elected in 2012 (as Megan Hess) and represents House district 2, covering Palo Alto County, Clay County, and part of Dickinson County. Last year Dawn Pettengill chaired the committee, but she retired.
    Ranking member: Rick Olson was first elected in 2004 and represents House district 31, covering part of Des Moines in Polk County.
    Other Iowa House members: Steve Holt (R), Joe Mitchell (R), Amy Nielsen (D)

    About the Author(s)

    Laura Belin

    • Thank you, Chuck Isenhart

      It takes special dedication to work for sane natural resource policies in the Iowa Legislature these days, and this year will probably be the most challenging yet.

    Comments