Iowa House of Representatives

Andrew is serving his first term in the Iowa House of Representatives. He serves as the Vice Chair of the Education Budget Subcommittee and also serves on the Agriculture, Appropriations, Economic Growth, and Natural Resources Committees.

Raised on a family farm two miles west of Hawkeye, Andrew Wenthe is a sixth-generation northeast Iowan. Andrew’s great-great-great grandmother, Sophia, moved with two of her sons to Bremer County from Chicago, Illinois in the late 1860s. Generations of Wenthes have remained to work the fertile farmland and enjoy the benefits of rural living.

Andrew was born in West Union, joining three older brothers in a loving and rambunctious household. Andrew’s father, Wayne, began operating the family farm after taking over from his father in 1974- and continues to do so today. Andrew’s mother, Mary, was a homemaker who operated the Sunny Days Preschool until her death in 1993. Andrew and his brothers have since welcomed a stepmother, Cheryl, to the family.

Growing up on the farm, the values of hard work and discipline were instilled in Andrew. He learned from his family the merits of compassion, integrity, and optimism. Andrew was taught at an early age that you face tough times with your back bowed and your chin up, and that a good neighbor is always quick to lend a helping hand when someone else is in need. (more…)

Roger Wendt is currently serving his third term in the Iowa House. He is the Chair of the Education Committee and also serves on the Judiciary, State Government, and Ways and Means Committees.

Roger Wendt was born December 31, 1933. He is the son of Arnold and Elsie Wendt of Staplehurst, Nebraska, where Roger was born and raised. Roger moved to Sioux City in 1958.

Upon graduation from high school in Seward, Nebraska in 1951, Roger attended Wayne State College. Two years, later, from 1953-1955, Roger took time off from school to serve in the U.S. Army. Then, Roger returned to Wayne State College to obtain a bachelor’s degree in education. Roger went on to earn a master of arts as well as a doctoral degree in education from the University of South Dakota. (more…)

Roger Thomas is serving his fifth term in the Iowa House. He is Chair of the Economic Growth Committee and also serves on the Ways and Means, Local Government, and Veterans’ Affairs Committees as well as the Economic Development Subcommittee.

Roger Thomas and his wife, Rosemary live on the family farm west of Elkader. They have three grown children and four grandchildren. (more…)

Todd Taylor is currently serving his sixth term in the Iowa House. He is Chair of the Justice Systems Budget Subcommittee and Vice Chair of the Labor Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations, State Government, and Natural Resources Committees.

Todd was born May 21, 1966 in Ames, one of four children of Robert and Wanda Taylor. He grew up in the legislative district he now represents in Cedar Rapids, where his dad was a minister and his mom taught school at McKinley and Roosevelt Middle Schools. (more…)

Dick Taylor is serving his fifth term in the Iowa House. He serves as Vice Chair of the Natural Resources Committee and also serves on the Commerce, Local Government and Veterans Affairs Committees as well as the Justice System Budget Subcommittee.

Dick was born April 5, 1931, in Algona, Iowa, where he grew up. He is the son of Gladys and Otto Taylor, a union carpenter.

He graduated from Algona High School in 1949. He attended the University of Iowa for two years and had a year of training at the Milwaukee School of Engineering while serving in the U.S. Navy.

Dick worked as a union electrician for 42 years. Among the many projects he worked on in the Cedar Rapids area was Jefferson High School. He also volunteered his electrical skills in helping build a camp for handicapped children and installing lights in the Kennedy High gym for the wrestling team. (more…)