House District 99

Council Bluffs

Contact: 402-812-8455

After a close race in 2008, Kurt Hubler is again seeking the office of Representative for Iowa House District 99.  Hubler grew up in the Council Bluffs area, where he was active in the city’s performing arts community.  He chose a career in journalism after graduating from the University of Northern Iowa, and went on to serve as a reporter for National Public Radio affiliates in Cedar Falls,  IA, Elkhart, IN, and Dallas, TX.  Hubler received several awards for his coverage of stories ranging from human interest to all levels of politics.

In 2007, Hubler returned home to Council Bluffs to organize and lead his father’s, Rob, congressional bid in Iowa’s Fifth District.  It was in March of 2008 when Kurt was approached to run for the seat in District 99, where he brought his campaign to within three points of victory.

Hubler’s family history in public service is also impressive on his mother’s side, where he has a grandfather, cousin,  and uncle who have served in the Iowa House.

http://kurthubler.com/

House District 91

West Point

Contact: 319-837-6174

Ron Fedler was born Aug. 23, 1950, the 10th child in a family of 13 children. Growing up in a family with so many kids, he learned the values of sharing and taking care of each other.

In 1968, Ron graduated from Marquette High School in West Point, Iowa. In May of 1970, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. There he served as a radio Teletype operator with a secret crypto clearance. After getting out of the Army, Ron came back to West Point and vowed to stay there for the rest of his life. Being away from his home state showed him that he grew up in a great part of the country and in one of the best places to live. He has never lived anywhere else since.

In 1973, Ron attended Fort Dodge Community College, where he took a course in bricklaying. He worked for Mike and Gary Sanders Masonry until 1977. He then worked for Leroy Bentler and Jet Gas Corporation. While working there, Leroy Bentler sold Ron Dugan’s Corner Convenience Store, which Ron rented out for 17 years. In 1994, Ron built a new Dugan’s Corner Convenience Store that is the current BP station in West Point; Ron sold the store in January 2004. On June 1, 1984, Ron began working as a correctional officer at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. He recently retired, and looks forward to dedicating his energies toward being a State Representative.

Ron married Mary Linn Frietag on Feb. 9, 1974. The couple have three children: Linus, 32; Nicole, 28; and Adam, 24. They have six grandchildren.

Ron is a lifetime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point. He was on the West Point Volunteer Fire and Rescue for seven years. He served as the American Legion commander for Holt-Gears Post 668 in West Point for one year and was delegated to the state convention. Ron also served one term as a city council member and two terms as mayor of West Point, from 1988 to 1992. Very busy with the convenience store and his job at the Iowa State Penitentiary, Ron chose not to seek a third consecutive term as mayor.

After selling the convenience store, Ron decided it was time to get involved in the community again, so he ran for mayor in 2005 and was elected to his third term.

House District 84

Davenport

Contact: 563-391-5217

Sheri Carnahan is a longtime resident of Davenport. Her childhood was spent on the family farm in Hillsdale Illinois until moving to Davenport at age 11. Sheri graduated from Davenport Central High School and attended the University of Iowa.

Sheri became active in her community after her husband, Tom, was the victim of a violent crime. Their resolve to become part of the solution led Sheri to become a member of the Davenport Citywide Crime Committee, Captain of “Emerald Drive Neighbors” neighborhood watch, a 3 term appointee to the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for Community Development Block Grants and Labor appointee to the Scott County Empowerment Board.

Sheri retired from Iowa Workforce Development in 2008 after 31 years of service. She served Iowa’s citizens for 17 years in Employment Services and Job Insurance programs and 14 years working with Iowa’s neediest citizens through the Promise Jobs program. While a State employee, Sheri served 3 terms as AFSCME Local 3011 President and Chief Steward, She also was a member of the 2003 and 2005 State employees’ negotiating team. Sheri is currently employed as a Political Field Representative with AFSCME IA Council 61 working with AFSCME members in the 1^st and 2^nd Congressional Districts of Iowa.  She serves as a delegate with the Quad Cities Federation of Labor and is a member of Scott County Democrats.

Sheri and Tom, her husband of 12 years are the proud parents of a loving blended family. They have 4 adult children and 7 grandchildren.

House District 76

Sigourney

Contact: 515-360-0667

Nathan Clubb is running for the first time to serve in the Iowa House of Representatives.  He’s currently finishing his studies in Political Science at Grinnell College.

Nathan is a fifth generation resident of Keokuk County.  He was born in Sigourney and graduated from Sigourney High School in 2007.  He is the youngest son of Richard and Kathy Clubb.

Nathan has previously worked for the National Defense University at Ft. McNair in Washington, DC researching Near East and South Asian affairs.  He has also worked on Congressman Leonard Boswell’s congressional reelection campaign in addition to being the state student coordinator for Gov. Bill Richardson’s presidential campaign.  Both of these positions gave Nathan the opportunity to talk with Iowans from the district about the problems they are facing and the ideas they have to move forward.

House District 74

Indianola

Contact:  515-208-7281

Scott D. Ourth of Ackworth, Iowa, currently serves as director of public affairs for Warren County, located in South Central Iowa.

Mr. Ourth is a graduate of Graceland College (Lamoni, Iowa).  After college he took graduate courses at Central Michigan University (Mt. Pleasant, Michigan) and the University of Tennessee (Knoxville, Tennessee).

Scott’s career in public service began in Washington, DC nearly a quarter century ago.  He first served on Capitol Hill as a policy analyst and congressional press secretary. Before long he was invited to act as senior advisor on several United States Senate, House of Representatives, and gubernatorial campaigns.  In 1998, following his management roles in many successful, high-profile campaigns, he returned to Iowa to serve as 3^rd Congressional District field director for Gov. Tom Vilsack and Rep. Leonard Boswell’s successful coordinated campaign.  He later served as campaign director for Rep. Boswell’s 2000 re-election race.  He has continued to act as senior consultant on many state and federal campaigns.   In 2006, Scott served as state field director for Chet Culver’s successful bid for governor. He then became aide to the Majority Leader of the Iowa House of Representatives during the 2007 legislative session.  Most recently Scott took a leave of absence from his administrative post to manage Congressman Leonard Boswell’s successful campaign during the Democratic primary of 2008.

A lifelong advocate for persons with disabilities, Scott served four years as an executive with ARC Michigan and Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service. While serving as Assistant Secretary of State under Iowa Secretary of State Chet Culver he managed a disability rights portion of the Help America Vote Act, a $1.3 million federal mandate to ensure handicap accessibility to nearly 2,000 federal polling places.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Iowa Protection & Advocacy Services, Inc., a congressionally mandated disability-rights agency.  Scott remains a devoted and passionate voice for equality and human rights.

Scott remains a dedicated friend of Graceland University.  His family has been represented on the Graceland campus since 1924.  He has supported the university financially for many years, and has dedicated the last six years to his membership on the Graceland Alumni Board of Directors.  He is also an active member of the Community of Christ, and currently serves as a member of the Quorums of Seventy.

Scott swam 11 miles non-stop on two separate occasions across a portion of Lake Huron to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.  He recently completed a non-stop hike of the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail to raise money and awareness for children with developmental disabilities.  Scott is married to Dr. Heather Ourth, assistant chief of pharmacy at the VA Hospital in Des Moines.  Their son, Logan, is a fifth-grader at Emerson Elementary School in Indianola. Scott reads history, enjoys a variety of outdoor sports, and is a published author.

House District 72

Albia

Contact: 641-932-2933

Debra Ballalatak is a native of Monroe County. A graduate of Albia High School, currently she is a homemaker and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Deb is a proud member of the NRA and the Brain Injury Association of America. Deb is also active with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She is a member of the Cadillac & LaSalle Club and an Honorary member of the Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association Institute. She and husband Jim, a diesel mechanic for Ben Shinn Trucking, have been together 30 years. They have 3 grown daughters, Kristin Kirk {Ryan}, SammyJo and Andrea.

Deb is running to bring fresh ideas and a new sensitivity to the state house, and to better represent the families, farmers, veterans, small business owners and residents of District 72. Deb has the determination to bring change to Iowa government and make Iowa a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Deb was denied health care for over 18 years due to a pre-existing condition, and consequently has a strong passion for providing affordable health care to all Iowans. She also aims to bring quality jobs to the state, honor our veterans and service members, and protect the elderly and the disabled.

Her family taught her the importance of hard work from an early age, and she vows to bring that work ethic to the Iowa House. Her experience growing up in rural Monroe county and working in her family’s business has given her a hands-on education in fiscal responsibility during hard times. She hopes to bring that discipline to the Capitol.

House District 71

Pella

Pat has worked and volunteered for her state and community.  Pat is a founder of Hospice of Pella. She has worked as a clinical social worker for 25 years helping individuals, children and troubled families throughout Iowa. She has worked for Capstone Behavioral Health in Newton for 10 years.  Pat was an Adjunct Professor for 6 years with DMACC-Newton. Pat has volunteered for her community with many organizations and causes, from the League of Women Voters to the Union Street Players and the Pella Community Theater. She recently completed a 6 month term as Chairman of the Marion County Democratic Party Central Committee, where she has been a member for two years. She has been a delegate to county and State conventions, and poll watcher for Pella precinct #3.  She was the Democratic candidate for State Representative in 2008 in District 71.

Pat grew up in Des Moines, and is a fifth generation Iowan. She graduated from Des Moines Roosevelt High School, obtained her BA in Sociology/Criminology and Masters in Social Work from the University of Iowa. She has been married to Arvin for 38+ years and they have lived in Pella for 33 years.  The VanZante’s have two grown married children, Libby & Jason Kyte, Peter & Elle VanZante and two grandchildren Riley & Eleanor Kyte.

Pat brings a wide range of interests, knowledge and experience to all her endeavors. Her extensive and eclectic background will make her a responsive, progressive, and forward looking representative for Iowa and her House District.

House District 65

Des Moines

Contact: 515-280-9034

Ruth Ann Gaines was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1947. She was educated in the parochial school system. She received a BA degree in Drama/Speech in 1969 from Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa and a M.A. in Dramatic Art from the University of California in Santa Barbara in 1970. She has been teaching drama at East High School and Speech and Drama at Des Moines Area Community College since 1971. Ruth Ann has served on numerous boards and commissions throughout the years. She was appointed to the State Foster Care Review Board by Governor Tom Vilsack in 2000 and is currently serving on the Iowa Arts Council where she was appointed by Governor Chet Culver in 2008. She is also currently a Des Moines Human Rights Commissioner. She has been a Commissioner since 2004.

Ruth Ann has created many initiatives in the educational arena. She has taught diversity courses to teachers since 1979 at the Heartland Area Education Agency in Des Moines and most recently at Viterbo University Iowa Center in West Des Moines. She has also been recognized as a national diversity trainer for colleges and universities, businesses, corporations and churches.

Among the many initiatives she has created for the Des Moines Public Schools is Sisters for Success, a mentorship program for African American middle and high school girls. This program has been used as a model for other like programs in schools throughout the state.

She is also well known throughout the state for her acting and directing endeavors. Last fall she directed a 32 episode radio drama that was a part of the Iowa Initiative to prevent unwanted pregnancies, chaired by Christie Vilsack and Sally Pederson. This program aired in various communities throughout the state and will also be made available to schools. She has hosted her own radio and television shows, and is an accomplished public speaker.

Ruth Ann was a 1987 YWCA Woman of Achievement and the 1993 Rotary High School Teacher of the Year.  She was the 1998 Iowa Teacher of the Year and one of four finalists for National Teacher of the Year. During the last few years, she has also been inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame, the Iowa African American Hall of Fame and the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame. In 2002 she was selected as a Central Iowa Woman of Influence. She was given the key to the city by Mayor Preston Daniels in 2003 and received an Iowa Character Counts Award in 2005. She served on the Loras College Board of Regents from 2001-2004 and was the recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. Ruth Ann is also a graduate of Leadership Iowa in 1996 and a 2002 graduate of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute.

Ruth Ann is a single adoptive parent of a child with multiple disabilities. In 1984, she was one of 15 single persons to adopt in Iowa. She has worked for and served on numerous committees and boards to help the disabled. She served on Very Special Arts Iowa Board and has sponsored many special needs artists in the Des Moines community.

Ruth Ann has sought political office in the past. She ran for the Iowa Senate in 1994 and the Des Moines City Council in 2004. She is a lifelong Democrat.

House District 63

Urbandale

Contact: 515-276-8939

John Sachs was born on August 15, 1951, in Rockford, Illinois. His parents John and Lorraine are a plant manager (retired) and a BSN nursing instructor (retired). He is the oldest of seven children; three brothers and three sisters. He attended parochial schools in Rockford and graduated from South Mecklenburg Senior High School in Pineville NC. He attended Milwaukee School of Engineering, and Rockford College. He graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1976 with a degree in Business. By working three years installing telephone switching equipment and going to night school, John completed his undergraduate education without any loans. He took classes towards an MS in Marketing from Iowa State University.

John married his wife, Janice, in 1984 in Ames. Jan is an Iowa native from Sioux County. They have one son, John, a student at Iowa State University and Eagle Scout. They are Catholic.

He is semi-retired. He has thirty years of business background in central Iowa in management, finance, systems analysis, industrial engineering and materials management. He is a past member of American Production and Inventory Control Society (former Board Member and CPIM) and past member of the National Association of Purchasing Managers.

He is involved in the following community activities: Boy Scouts of America (Troop 44 committee member, Wood Badge, and two trips to the Boundary Waters); Fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, (former Grand Knight); Alumnae Association Member of Northern Illinois University, Iowa State University and University of Iowa; Habitat for Humanity contributor and volunteer; Des Moines Art Center member; former member of the Ames Town and College Toastmasters.

John is a “This Old House” devotee, and has tackled many home updating projects, short of laying the foundation. He builds and updates computers. He enjoys traveling and family events, particularly in Iowa/Midwest venues. He is a history buff and avid reader, and is especially interested in the Civil War.

House District 59

West Des Moines

Contact: 515-238-1299

Andrew McDowell grew up on a diversified family farm in NW Iowa – the oldest of four children.  Andrew’s father farms corn, soybeans, and a small hog herd near Archer, Iowa and his mother teaches sixth grade language arts in the Sheldon Community School district.  From an early age he was taught responsibility, hard work, and service from his parents.  In his youth, Andrew was active in 4-H, church youth group, baseball, and piano lessons.   In High School, Andrew was involved with student government, choir, FFA, and held the distinction of serving as Presidents of the Senior Class, National Honor Society, and Student Council all at the same time and was even voted Homecoming King.  Andrew graduated from Sheldon High School in 1994.

Andrew attended the University of Northern Iowa and received an Organizational Communications Studies degree in May of 1998.  While at UNI, he was involved with the UNI Varsity Men’s Glee Club and various UNI residence hall organizations  – serving as President of his residence hall for a semester where he helped to implement some really great programs and ideas in Noehren Hall.

Currently, Andrew works at Nationwide Agribusiness as a Commercial Lines Underwriter in their farm owners program.  He has been with Nationwide over 10 years.  Andrew also spent a year as an independent insurance agent at ARI Services, Ltd in Sheldon, Iowa where he sold and serviced personal lines insurance products.  Andrew holds CPCU and AFIS insurance designations and was recently accepted to participate in the exclusive 2010 Emerging Leaders Program through Nationwide.     Andrew also works part time at Hamilton’s Funeral Homes in Des Moines assisting families and guests with funeral visitations and services.

Andrew keeps busy serving on the board of directors of the 21st Century Forum, and the Iowa Scriptwriters Alliance.  He has been on the board of Winchester Square Townhome Association serving as President for eighteen months and recently as treasurer.  Andrew is also a member of the Iowa Motion Picture Association and the Iowa Corn growers Association and has participated in Junior Achievement and volunteered for Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa.

Andrew attends Jordan Creek United Methodist Church in West Des Moines and enjoys travelling, running, movies, writing, connecting with family and friends, and reading in his spare time.