Rowley wins GOP's nod for Senate District 1

It's safe to assume Dave Rowley can start looking for temporary housing in Des Moines.

The Spirit Lake Republican won his party's nomination during a special convention in Okoboji last Thursday. Rowley topped Barb Clayton, also of Spirit Lake, in the two-person contest and will now be on the special election ballot Dec. 14 to fill a vacancy in Iowa Senate District 1.

"I am honored today to be chosen as the Republican candidate for Senate District 1," Rowley said in a news release. "As a long time resident of northwest Iowa, I share the values and priorities of Iowans in these communities and I will be their voice in Des Moines. I will work for tax relief, good schools and career opportunities in rural Iowa."

If elected, Rowley will succeed former District 1 Sen. Zach Whiting, R-Spirit Lake, who resigned last month due to an impending move to Texas. There is one year left on his term.

Rowley and Clayton are the only people who have shown interest in the vacancy. District 1 is one of the most heavily Republican districts in the state, and Rowley is all but guaranteed to win the seat now that he's earned the GOP's nomination.

"Thank you to everyone for their support, and I look forward to earning the support of the voters in December," he said.

Rowley has been a Spirit Lake resident for the last 25 years and works as an insurance agent at Blum & Leonard Associates. He is a former Dickinson County GOP chair and president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa. He attended the University of Iowa, receiving a B.A. in Psychology.

Rowley outlined a conservative platform when announcing his campaign earlier this month.

"Rural Iowans deserve to have a voice at the Capitol that understands the values of northwest Iowa and the needs of our communities," he said. "In Des Moines I will advocate for tax relief for hard-working Iowans, support conservative and responsible budgets, and fight against the out of touch policies of the Biden Administration."

District 1 includes Osceola, Clay, Lyon, Dickinson and Palo Alto counties. Anyone seeking to be on the ballot via nominating petition must gather 100 signatures from eligible District 1 electors and turn in paperwork by Friday, Nov. 19.