Edler

STATE CENTER – Today, Sen. Jeff Edler (R-State Center) announced that he will not seek re-election to the Iowa Senate in 2024. Edler was first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. District 26, which he currently serves, includes all of Marshall County and a large swath of rural Story County outside of Ames.

Edler, a farmer by trade, was part of the group of candidates who regained the majority for Republicans for the first time since 2004.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to represent our area in the Iowa Senate. Shortly after being elected in 2016, one of the first votes I took was on a bill to cut spending because the previous budget spent too much. Now, thanks to the conservative budgets I supported, Iowa has billions of dollars in reserve funds and surpluses. We eliminated the tax on retirement income, eliminated the inheritance tax, and lowered the top income tax rate from 8.98% to 3.9% in 2026, saving Iowans billions in taxes,” Edler said. “We did important work on children’s mental health, adult mental health, tort reform, implementing voter ID, welfare reform, blackout license plates, and education reform. The list of accomplishments is extensive, and it was a privilege to be a part of all these accomplishments over the last eight years.”

In concluding his statement, Edler, 47, indicated that he felt it was time to pass the torch.

“It is time to let the next generation of leaders take my spot in the Senate and continue to implement conservative policies to make Iowa the best place to live,” he said. “I have accomplished many things I believed were vitally important to our state and I am grateful to the people in our communities who provided me the opportunity to serve them in the Iowa Senate.”

Edler could not immediately be reached for further comment.

Shortly after news of Edler’s retirement was shared, his potential successor, Gannon Hendrick of McCallsburg, announced plans to seek election as a Republican in District 26.

Hendrick has worked for the Iowa Senate Republicans since 2011, staffing education before becoming the staff director in 2017 and chief-of-staff to Senate President Amy Sinclair in 2023. He also operates his family’s cow-calf herd near McCallsburg. He graduated from Colo-NESCO Community School District in 2003 and Iowa State University in 2008.

“I have had the distinct honor of spending my entire adult life dedicated to public service as a member of the armed forces and locally in the community in various capacities. I wish to continue my service to the people of Iowa representing Senate District 26,” Hendrick said. “I am proud of the work Sen. Edler has done to reduce taxes, increase access to mental health, and defend our personal liberties. It is my goal to continue his work in Des Moines for the benefit of all Iowans. I am committed to creating high-quality jobs and growing Iowa’s economy. I will fight tirelessly to ensure our veterans and most vulnerable Iowans receive the benefits they deserve.”

Hendrick enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in June 2002. In March of 2008, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Reserve through the Direct Commission Program. His military assignments include a deployment to Iraq, a mobilization in Des Moines, and a mobilization in Kansas City, Mo. He served in key positions including company commander, battalion executive officer, brigade executive officer, and battalion commander.

Hendrick previously served as a Colo-NESCO School Board member and Warren Township Clerk and Warren Township Trustee in Story County. He has also twice served as Commander of the McCallsburg American Legion Post 334. In addition to serving his community, is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing in Central Iowa. Gannon is a strong advocate of the Second Amendment and is a Lifetime Benefactor Member of the NRA.

About an hour later, fellow Republican Kara Warme announced her candidacy. A press release described her as “an experienced businesswoman and local community leader” who wants to continue Sen. Edler’s legacy of conservative results and responsive leadership.

“I want to thank Sen. Edler for his dedicated service to our district and the state of Iowa,” Warme said. “Almost 20 years ago, my husband and I chose to settle in Iowa because it’s a great place to raise a family. I’m running for the Iowa Senate because I want that to continue to be true for future generations.”

A mother of two, Chief Development Officer for YSS, American Heritage Girls troop leader, and a substitute teacher, Warme is focused on strengthening education in Iowa.

“As a parent and a school-based mentor, I know Iowa has great schools and the potential to get back to first in the nation,” Warme said. “Education is best when we can recruit and retain fantastic teachers and parents are involved in decisions for their kids.”

Kara and her husband Bryan have been married for 19 years and have two daughters. They live in rural Story County and are the fifth generation in their family to own Iowa farmland. She is a member of the Iowa Rural Development Council and the Izaak Walton League. She wants to be a strong voice for Iowa’s agriculture and small businesses.

“Our farming families and local employers are the lifeblood of Iowa’s economy,” Warme said. “I am committed to hearing and supporting the hard-working growers and producers across our entire district so they can do what they do best: feed our families, fuel our economy, and create great-paying jobs.”

Warme also has two decades of experience in telecommunications and marketing leadership with an engineering degree from Stanford University and an MBA from the University of Iowa. A strong fiscal conservative, Warme says she will prioritize protecting Iowa’s taxpayers and ensuring the state maintains a responsible, balanced budget.

“Everyone is feeling the pain of inflation,” Warme said. “I will focus on continued tax cuts, economic development, and career opportunities to drive prosperity for more Iowans.”

Democrat Mike Wolfe announced his candidacy in the same race about a month ago.