DES MOINES, Iowa – On Monday morning, Iowa House Republicans elected a new leadership team.
State Rep. Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, was elected to serve as the next Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives. He replaces outgoing Speaker Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, who announced last week she will not run for re-election. State Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, was elected House Majority Leader replacing State Rep. Chris Hagenow, R-Adel, and State Rep. John Wills, R-Spirit Lake, was elected as the next Speaker Pro Tem to replace Windschitl who previously held that office.
Grassley, 36, serves in Iowa House District 50 is the grandson of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley. He was first elected in 2006. He previously served as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. He also served on the Commerce and Labor committees.
He farms with his father and grandfather on their family farm in New Hartford, growing corn and soybeans and raising cattle. He and his wife, Amanda, have three children.
“It is a true honor to be the next Speaker and I am humbled by the support from the House Republican caucus. I want to thank the members of this caucus for placing their trust in me as we prepare for the 2020 legislative session and campaign season,” Grassley said in a released statement.
“Even with new leadership, House Republicans will continue to pursue a common-sense agenda that Iowans support. Responsible budgeting that gives taxpayers a seat at the table will always be a top priority for this caucus. We will continue to invest in our workforce, ensure our rural communities aren’t left
Windschitl, 35, represents Iowa House District 17 and was first elected to the Iowa House in 2006. He served as Speaker Pro Tem of the House since 2014. Windschitl last term served on the Administration and Rules, Local Government, Public Safety, and Ways and Means committees.
He served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves as a mechanic and armorer.
Windschitl currently works for Doll Distributing, based out of Council Bluffs. He and his wife, Ivelisse, live in Missouri Valley with their two children.
“Thank you to the House Republican caucus for the confidence they have placed in me to serve as their Leader. It is truly humbling and an honor to serve my caucus and the people of Iowa in this role,” Windschitl said in a released statement.
“Working together as a team, House Republicans have been able to accomplish many positive things for Iowans over the last several years. We will continue to move our state forward by listening to the people of Iowa, prioritizing the hard-working taxpayers, and defending the liberties and freedoms that Iowans prize,” he added.
Wills, 53, serves Iowa House District 1 and was first elected in 2014. He was elected Assistant Majority Leader in 2015, and in 2016 was elected to be Majority Whip. He serves on the Administration and Rules, Agriculture, Appropriations, Commerce, and Veterans Affairs committees.
Wills is the President of the Okoboji Protective Association and works to protect water resources. He retired from the National Guard after 25 years, serving numerous deployments overseas. He and his wife, Cami, have three adult children.
Iowa House Republicans currently hold a six seat majority in the Iowa House.