The Chair of the Business Department at Muscatine Community College John Dabeet today announced that he will run for state representative in District 91, which includes the city of Muscatine and eastern Muscatine County.

“I’m proud of my work helping people in Muscatine get the skills they need to land a good-paying job, continue their education, or start their own business. Community colleges are the key to growing Iowa’s skilled workforce and strengthening the middle class,” said Dabeet, a Democrat. “My top priorities in the Iowa House will be making sure every Iowan gets a world class education from preschool to higher education and helping local communities create jobs.”

Now in his 17th year at Muscatine Community College, Dabeet teaches economics and statistics in addition to his duties chairing the Business Department. He is also the student government advisor and serves on Eastern Iowa Community College district wide globalization initiative as well as the student council. Dabeet is also an adjunct professor at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant.

“As state representative, I will put aside the partisanship and listen to the people of our community. I look forward to engaging the citizens of Muscatine just like I engage my students in the classroom and seek their input on the critical issues our state faces. It’s a humbling experience to run for state representative and I’m excited to meet Muscatine residents at their doorstep,” said Dabeet, who received the Excellency in Volunteerism Award from the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2002-2003.

Dabeet, a Christian, is currently serving as President of the national Americans & Palestinians for Peace organization and has been involved in a host of other activities and organizations in Muscatine. He is Past President of Muscatine Sister City Association and former Chair of the Diversity Service Center of Iowa, which is based in Muscatine. For eight years, he served on the Board of Directors for the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

John and his wife, Abeer, have two twin boys, Nabeel and Anton, who are three years old. He received Sister Cities International 50th Anniversary Distinguish Volunteer Award in 2006, was nominated by his students for Who’s Who of America’s Best Teachers, and received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching at MCC.