Full list of Iowa House Democratic leaders, ranking members

Yesterday the Iowa House Democrats announced ranking members for all the standing and appropriations committees for the 2013 legislative session. Below I’ve posted the full list of House minority leaders and ranking members. Where relevant, I’ve noted changes since last year. House Democrats will start the session with 46 caucus members, because State Representative Brian Quirk just resigned his seat.

House Republicans named all the committee chairs earlier this week.

Iowa House Democratic leadership team

Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy was first elected in 2002 and just re-elected in House district 33, covering parts of the southeast side of Des Moines. He served as majority leader during the 2007 through 2010 legislative sessions.

Assistant minority leaders: Ako Abdul-Samad was first elected in 2006 and just re-elected in House district 35, covering central and north-side neighborhoods in Des Moines.

Mary Mascher was first elected in 1994 and just re-elected in House district 86, covering parts of Iowa City.

Mark Smith was first elected in 2000 and just re-elected in House district 71, covering northeastern Marshall County, including Marshalltown.

Mary Gaskill is the newest member of the House Democratic leadership team. She replaces Kirsten Running-Marquardt, who was an assistant minority leader last year. Gaskill was first elected in 2002 and just re-elected in House district 81, covering Ottumwa and some surrounding areas in Wapello County.

Standing committees

Administrative Rules Review

Dave Jacoby and Rick Olson will serve on this committee, which includes five Iowa House members and five Iowa Senate members. Jacoby was first elected in 2002 and just re-elected in House district 74, covering Coralville and North Liberty in Johnson County. Olson was first elected in 2004 and just re-elected in House district 31, covering parts of the east side of Des Moines.

Administration and Rules

Dan Muhlbauer was first elected in 2010 and just re-elected in House district 12, covering Carroll and Audubon Counties and part of Crawford County. Last year Andrew Wenthe was ranking member on this committee, but he retired.

Agriculture

Helen Miller was first elected in 2002 and just re-elected in House district 9, covering part of Webster County, including Fort Dodge.

Appropriations

Tyler Olson was first elected in 2006 and just re-elected in House district 65, covering part of Cedar Rapids in Linn County.

Administration and Regulation Appropriations Subcommittee: Dan Kelley was first elected in 2010 and just re-elected in House district 29, covering most of Jasper County, including Newton.

Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee:   Frank Wood was just elected to the Iowa House for the first time in House district 92, covering parts of Scott County. He served one term in the Iowa Senate from 2005 through 2008. Last year Dan Muhlbauer was the ranking member on this subcommittee.

Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee: Kirsten Running-Marquardt won a 2009 special election and was just re-elected in House district 69, covering part of Cedar Rapids as well as parts of southwestern Linn County. Last year Chris Hall was the ranking member on this subcommittee.

Education Appropriations Subcommittee: Cindy Winckler was first elected in 2002 and just re-elected in House district 90, covering part of Davenport in Scott County.

Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee: Lisa Heddens was first elected in 2002 and just re-elected in House district 46, covering part of Ames and Story County.

Justice System Appropriations Subcommittee: Todd Taylor was first elected in a 1995 and just re-elected in House district 70, covering part of Cedar Rapids in Linn County.

Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capitals Appropriations:  Dennis Cohoon was first elected to the Iowa House in 1986 and just re-elected in House district 87, covering Burlington and part of eastern Des Moines County.

Commerce

Chris Hall was first elected in 2010 and just re-elected in House district 13, covering part of Sioux City and eastern Woodbury County. Last year Brian Quirk was ranking member of this committee, but he just resigned his House seat this week.

Economic Growth

Roger Thomas was first elected to the Iowa House in 1996 and just re-elected in House district 55, covering parts of Winneshiek, Fayette and Clayton Counties.

Education

Sharon Steckman was first elected in 2008 and just re-elected in House district 53, covering part of Cerro Gordo County, including Mason City.

Environmental Protection

Chuck Isenhart was first elected in 2008 and just re-elected in House district 100, covering part of Dubuque.

Ethics

Phyllis Thede was first elected in 2008 and just re-elected in House district 93, covering parts of Davenport and Bettendorf in Scott County.

Government Oversight

Ruth Ann Gaines was first elected in 2010 and just re-elected in House district 32, covering part of Des Moines. Last year Janet Petersen was ranking member of this committee, but she left the Iowa House to run for the Iowa Senate.

Human Resources

Beth Wessel-Kroeschell was first elected in 2004 and just re-elected in House district 45, covering part of Ames in Story County.

Judiciary

Mary Wolfe was first elected in 2010 and just re-elected in House district 98, covering part of Clinton County, including the city of Clinton.

Labor

Bruce Hunter was first elected in a 2003 special election and just re-elected in House district 34, covering downtown Des Moines and part of the south side.

Local Government

Art Staed was just elected to House district 66 in Cedar Rapids, defeating Republican incumbent Renee Schulte. He previously served one term in the House (2007-2008). Last year John Wittneben was ranking member of this committee, but he lost his re-election bid in House district 7.

Natural Resources

Curt Hanson was first elected in a 2009 special election and just re-elected in House district 82, covering Davis and Van Buren Counties and most of Jefferson County.

Public Safety

Bob Kressig was first elected in 2004 and just re-elected in House district 59, covering most of Cedar Falls and some rural areas in Black Hawk County.

State Government

Vicki Lensing was first elected in 2000 and just re-elected in House district 85, covering part of Iowa City in Johnson County.

Transportation

Jim Lykam was first elected in 2002 and just re-elected in House district 89, covering part of Davenport in Scott County.

Veterans Affairs

Jerry Kearns was first elected in 2008 and just re-elected in House district 83, covering part of Lee County including Keokuk and Fort Madison.

Ways and Means

Jo Oldson was first elected in 2002 and just re-elected in House district 41, covering part of Des Moines. Last year Dave Jacoby was ranking member on this committee.

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  • Hall

    I wonder if Chris Hall would be a good candidate for higher office one day, I read his bio and he seems like a compelling candidate.  Commerce is a good spot where people should want to work in a non-partisan fashion to get things done.  

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