Smith

Months after stepping down as Iowa House minority leader, state Rep. Mark Smith, D-Marshalltown, said he is exploring several options going into 2020.

He said one option he has discussed is running for the District 36 state Senate seat, which is currently held by Sen. Jeff Elder, R-State Center. Edler’s seat is up for election in 2020.

“I’ve been approached for a possible run for the Senate,” Smith said. “This is the time of the year where I explore every possibility.”

Another possible pursuit Smith is considering is running for a House leadership position if the Democrats are able to overcome their four-person deficit in the chamber in 2020.

Smith previously served as the head Democrat in the House from August 2013 to November 2018. He stepped down as minority leader after the Democrats failed to take the House from Republican control, although the Democrats did gain seats.

According to the Iowa Secretary of State website, the filing period for state offices in the 2020 primary election is Feb. 24 to March 13, 2020. Smith’s current House seat and the District 36 senate seat are included in that primary cycle.

No final decisions have been made yet by the longtime lawmaker. Smith has represented Marshalltown in the House since 2001.

——

Contact Adam Sodders at

641-753-6611 or

asodders@timesrepublican.com