DES MOINES, Iowa – State Rep. Dan Huseman, R-Aurelia, announced on Tuesday that he would not seek re-election in 2020. Huseman, 67, is the longest-serving Iowa House Republican first elected to the chamber in 1994.
“I am incredibly proud of the things that have been accomplished during my time in the Iowa House,” Huseman said in a released statement. “When I first ran, I did so because I wanted to make a difference and improve our state for future generations. I feel very good about where we are today. It has been an honor to represent the people of Northwest Iowa over the past 25 years. Thank you all for allowing me to serve as your voice in Des Moines.”
Huseman represents Iowa House District 3 that encompasses all of O’Brien and Cherokee counties and parts of Sioux and Plymouth counties.
Huseman currently serves as Iowa House Assistant Majority Leader and is the Vice Chair of the Iowa House Labor Committee. He also serves on the House Transportation, Economic Growth, and Administration and Rules committees. Huseman also serves on the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capitals Appropriations Subcommittee. He served as chairman of that subcommittee from 2003-2007 and 2011-2019. Huseman also served as Chair of the Iowa House Ethics Committee from 2001-2003 and the Iowa House Natural Resources Committee from 1991-2001.
“I want to thank Rep. Huseman for his years of public service and thoughtful leadership,” House Speaker Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, said in a released statement. “He is an incredibly hard worker and always quick with a joke. He will leave behind some big shoes to fill, and we all wish him well in his well-deserved retirement.”
Two Republicans announced their intention to run for the seat.
Lynn Evans from Aurelia, the recently retired superintendent of Alta Aurelia Community Schools, and Mark McHugh of Sheldon, who works for Rosenbloom Machine & Tool, announced Tuesday they would run for the Republican nomination.
Iowa House District 3 is a heavily Republican district where there are four registered Republicans for every registered Democrat.