Iowa House Speaker Linda Upmeyer is the latest high-profile Republican to back seven-term Representative Steve King in the GOP primary to represent fourth Congressional district. In a statement King’s campaign released today, Upmeyer said, “I’m proud to have Steve King as my Representative in the U.S. House because he is a principled conservative who stands firm in his commitment to Iowa values.” I enclose the full press release below.
Upmeyer represents Iowa House district 54, covering Franklin County and parts of Butler and Cerro Gordo counties. (Republican Tom Latham represented that area before Iowa adopted the current map of political boundaries following the 2010 census.) The first woman to serve as Iowa House speaker, Upmeyer has been rumored as a possible Congressional candidate if King’s seat becomes vacant.
King was already favored to win the primary before being endorsed by Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds.
To my knowledge, no Republican elected officials have publicly backed King’s GOP primary challenger, State Senator Rick Bertrand. His best-known supporters are Iowa Board of Regents President and major Republican donor Bruce Rastetter and Nick Ryan, a top fundraiser for conservative PACs and 501(c)4 groups.
May 9 press release from King for Congress:
Wall Lake, Iowa – Congressman Steve King was endorsed today by Iowa Speaker of the House Linda Upmeyer.
“I was delighted to see Linda Upmeyer accept the Speaker’s gavel in the Iowa House of Representatives. Linda is not only the first woman Speaker, she also follows in the footsteps of her father. I admire Speaker Upmeyer for her values, her excellent skill sets and especially because she has risen through the ranks solely on merit.
“Speaker Upmeyer represents an honorable legacy, but her success is earned, as reflected by the majority vote of the Iowa House of Representatives and of her Republican Caucus. She has my support as well as my respect for her leadership. It is my privilege to represent her in Congress and my honor to receive her endorsement,” King remarked.
Upmeyer is the latest endorsement received by King who enjoys the support of Senator Chuck Grassley, Senator Joni Ernst, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds.
“I’m proud to have Steve King as my Representative in the U.S. House because he is a principled conservative who stands firm in his commitment to Iowa values,” Upmeyer said. “He is effective and energetic, giving his all to represent the interests of his District and Iowa as a whole. He has an unwavering commitment to life and liberty as well as renewable fuels, national security, and fiscal responsibility.”
A former small business owner, King resides in rural Sac County, Iowa, with his wife of 43 years, Marilyn. The Kings have three happily married sons and seven grandchildren; all the Kings live within 10 miles of each other.