Upmeyer says no re-election run in 2020, stepping down as Speaker of the House

CLEAR LAKE — House Speaker Linda Upmeyer says she will not run for re-election for her House seat, and will step down as Speaker of the House sometime later this year.

The Republican from Clear Lake says in a written statement that she made the decision after thoughtful consideration and wants to spend more time with her husband, children and grandchildren. Upmeyer adds it’s been the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of Iowa, and she wants to thank her constituents that have allowed her to represent them in the Iowa House over the past 17 years. Upmeyer adds that she wants to thank her family for being so supportive, whether it was during the time in session in Des Moines, criss-crossing the state attending fundraisers, or traveling to conferences and other meetings in other states.

Upmeyer was first elected to the Iowa House in 2002. She was chosen in 2015 to be the first woman in Iowa history to hold the position of Speaker of the House, a position that her father Del Stromer held in the 1980s. Previous to being Speaker, she was the first woman in Iowa history to be elected House Majority Leader in 2010.

Upmeyer will continue to serve as Speaker until the start of the 2020 legislative session, with a leadership election to be held on a future date to determine the next House Speaker.

Upmeyer currently serves House District 54, which includes Clear Lake, the western third of Cerro Gordo County, all of Franklin County, and the northern and western portions of Butler County.