Iowa House of Representatives

Ray Zirkelbach was elected to his second term in the Iowa House of Representatives in 2006. In 2005, Ray was called to active duty by the US Army and began serving in Iraq, and consequently he missed the 2006 and 2007 legislative sessions. He is an Infantryman with CO A 1/133rd Infantry in Dubuque, IA. He is a Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom. He received the Purple Heart for wounds received in Combat in August 2006 in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq.

Ray serves as the Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee and also serves on the Agriculture, Labor, and Public Safety Committees as well as the Justice Systems Budget Subcommittee.

Ray is a correctional counselor at the Anamosa State Prison and a soldier in the National Guard. (more…)

Cindy Winckler is serving her fourth term in the Iowa House. She has been a member of Economic Development budget subcommittee, ranking member of Labor and Industrial Relations committee, and ranking member of Education budget subcommittee. She currently as the Chair of the Education Budget Subcommittee and also serves on the Appropriations, Education, Judiciary, and Labor Committees.

Cindy Winckler was born in Des Moines, Iowa. She moved to Davenport when she was young, and has continued to be a part of the Davenport community through her adult years. Public service has been a part of her family background. Her dad owned the snack bar at the Scott County Court House, through an agreement with the county and the disabled veterans organization. Her mother was a long-time deputy city clerk and city alderman. (more…)

Wes Whitead is currently serving his fifth term in the Iowa House. He serves as Vice Chair on the Veterans Affairs Committees and also serves on the on Local Government, Natural Resources, State Government and Government Oversight Committees.

Wes Whitead was born April 15, 1933 in rural Plymouth County, Iowa. The son of Marion and Marguerite Whitead, Wes grew up on a small farm just north of Sioux City. He attended a one-room rural school through the sixth grade, then attended Sioux City public schools.

He entered the military in 1953, serving in an engineer aviation battalion in Korea. Wes and his unit built airfields for American fighters and bombers, including the first concrete airfield in South Korea. (more…)

John Whitaker is serving his third term in the Iowa House and is an Assistant Majority Leader. He serves as Vice Chair of the Agricultural Committee and also serves on the Administration & Rules, Natural Resources, Public Safety, and Transportation Committees.

Johns roots in Iowa run deep. His family moved here in 1836. John was born and raised near Hillsboro, Iowa. He is the son of William D. and Ruth Whitaker. Bill farmed for fifty-one years before retiring in 1998, and encouraged and taught his three sons to farm. All three began farming in the time from 1977 to 1982. Ruth is a retired school teacher.

John graduated from Harmony High School in 1974. In 1978, he earned a Bachelors of Science in Animal Science from Iowa State University. In 1979, he earned a B.S. degree in Agricultural Education from Iowa State University. Currently, John divides his time between farming and serving in the Iowa Legislature. John served on the Van Buren County Board of Supervisors for ten years. Previously, he served as the president of the Iowa Farmers Union. John currently farms with his brother to produce Niman Ranch Pork. His son Daniel joined the operation in August 2007, Gabe plans to join the farming operation after returning from duty in Iraq. (more…)

Beth is serving her 2nd term in the Iowa House of Representatives. She serves on the Environmental Protection, Judiciary, State Government (Vice Chair), and Human Resources committees and the Justice Systems Appropriations Subcommittee (Vice Chair).

Beth is married to Tom Kroeschell. He is the Associate Athletic Director, Media Relations at Iowa State University. They have two children, Liza a high school freshman and Robbie a fourth grader in the Ames School District. (more…)