Wapello County Supervisor Steve Siegel is kicking off his campaign in Iowa Senate district 41 today with “ice cream social” events in Bloomfield (Davis County), Keosauqua (Van Buren County), Fairfield (Jefferson County), and Ottumwa (Wapello County). I’ve posted his campaign announcement after the jump, along with a map of Senate district 41.

Siegel is challenging first-term GOP State Senator Mark Chelgren, a top target for Democrats hoping to hold and if possible expand their 26 to 24 Iowa Senate majority. Chelgren’s victory by 10 votes over a Democratic incumbent in the Ottumwa-based district was among this state’s most shocking 2010 election results.

Any relevant comments are welcome in this thread. The latest voter registration numbers from the Secretary of State’s office indicate that Senate district 41 contains 15,203 registered Democrats, 11,572 Republicans, and 13,634 no-party voters.

Steve Siegel announces plans to run for Iowa Senate

OTTWUMA – Steve Siegel of Ottumwa announced today that he plans to run for the Iowa State Senate in District 41.

Senate District 41 includes all of Davis and Van Buren counties; part of Wapello County, including the towns of Ottumwa, Agency and Eldon; and part of Jefferson County, including the towns of Batavia, Fairfield, Libertyville, Maharishi Vedic City, Packwood and Pleasant Plain.

“I am running for the Iowa Senate to help change the priorities at the State Capitol to better reflect the needs of middle class families in Southern Iowa,” Siegel said.  “We need a State Senator who will focus on good jobs, great schools and a better quality of life – not partisan bickering and political games.

“I promise to work tirelessly to make sure the people of District 41 are represented fairly, honestly and responsibly.”

Siegel and his wife, Vicki, have been married for 23 years. They have four adult sons (Jim, Andy, Tom and Chris).

Siegel, a Democrat, has served on the Wapello County Board of Supervisor for the past 17 years. Siegel has also worked as a union representative for AFSCME Council 61 and as a social worker for the state Department of Human Services.

“As a County Supervisor, I have seen to it that Wapello County has not raised property taxes over the past four years while enhancing economic development, public safety and health care services,” Siegel said. “I will take those same priorities to the Iowa Senate to improve our quality of life in Southern Iowa.”

Siegel previously served on the board for the Ottumwa Day Care Center, was a youth baseball and basketball coach, and has been active in organizations that advocate for social and economic justice.

He has a bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College and two graduate degrees.

“I plan to campaign by visiting every community of Senate District 41, listening to the concerns of the people,” Siegel said. “I encourage people to contact me at sj_siegel@yahoo.com or call me directly at (641) 682-6227.”

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Schedule for Steve Siegel for Iowa Senate Announcement Ice Cream Social

Tuesday

September 10, 2013

12 Noon         Bloomfield    Town Square

2:30 pm          Keosauqua    City Park in front of Hotel Manning

4:30 pm          Fairfield        Town Square Gazebo

6:30 pm          Ottumwa        Central Park

Iowa Senate district 41 contains all of Davis and Van Buren counties, plus the population centers of Wapello and Jefferson counties.