It’s official! On Jan. 13 I was sworn in as a state senator for District 26. I appreciate the trust and support you’ve shown me throughout this journey, and I’m excited to represent you in the state legislature. This new chapter brings many opportunities to advocate for our community, and I am learning as fast as I can. I hope you’ll stay in touch as we work together to build a brighter future for District 26 and Iowa.

Swearing in for the 91st General Assembly

As part of the events surrounding the start of the legislative session, I had the honor of giving the opening prayer at the Republican Party of Iowa’s Legislative Breakfast. It was a humbling experience to reflect on the important work ahead and to seek wisdom and courage for all those gathered as we embark on a new year of service to our state.

Opening prayer at RPI breakfast

One of the highlights of this week was escorting Governor Kim Reynolds into the chamber to deliver her Condition of the State speech. It was a full-circle moment for me, as I had attended this same event last year when the Governor highlighted two recent YSS program graduates. To now be part of the process is truly an honor, and I look forward to collaborating with the Governor and my colleagues to turn these goals into action.

Governor Reynolds’ speech highlighted many of Iowa’s remarkable accomplishments, positioning our state as a national leader. Iowa is now ranked as the number one state in the nation for retirement, millennial house ownership, and fiscal responsibility, holding the top spot for the third consecutive year. Additionally, we rank second in cost of living, third for opportunity, and fourth in health care. To top it off, we are benefiting from a 3.8% flat income tax, a dramatic improvement from the 8.98% tax rate we faced just six years ago.

I also had the privilege of making my first announcement from the Senate floor this week, inviting my fellow senators to join me in recognizing January as Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. It was an honor to introduce this important proclamation, which shines a light on the ongoing work to combat human trafficking and support survivors. The event was planned by YSS Founder George Belitsos and the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery, who continue to be leaders in this fight.

This week, members of the State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council came to the Capitol to share their thoughtful ideas on how we can better serve the youth of our state. One of the most delightful surprises was seeing Lucy DeBoest from Story County. Lucy was part of the American Heritage Girls group I founded, and I am proud to see her continuing to follow the mission we worked so hard to instill — creating women of integrity through service. I look forward to seeing all the amazing things Lucy and her peers will accomplish as they continue to advocate for youth in Iowa.

Members of the State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council

As we begin scheduling subcommittees and diving into discussions on key legislation, I encourage you to reach out with any questions or feedback you may have on the issues that matter most to you. Your input is invaluable as we work together to shape the future of our state. Please don’t hesitate to contact me – I’m here to serve and listen to the voices of our community.

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Kara Warme, a Republican from Ames,

represents District 26 in the Iowa Senate.