According to an Iowa House Democrats press release, Megan Day Suhr “announced today” that she is running for Iowa House district 28.  

The timing of the press release is odd, since Suhr launched her campaign website in late October and held a kickoff event in Knoxville on November 4. When Bleeding Heartland previewed Suhr’s upcoming race against Republican Greg Heartsill, I speculated that House Democratic leaders might be recruiting another candidate in this district. If that was ever the case, it doesn’t appear to be happening now.

House district 28 makes up the northeast half of Senate district 14, where Republican Paul McKinley will retire next year. To my knowledge, neither Democrats nor Republicans have an announced candidate in that open Senate race. CORRECTION: Wayne County Supervisor Amy Sinclair is a Republican candidate for Senate district 14. Wayne County is part of House district 27, the southern half of the Senate district.

Here is the full text of today’s press release from the Iowa House Democrats:

December 7, 2011

Suhr to Run for State Representative

Knoxville, Iowa — Small business owner and Knoxville resident Megan Suhr announced today that she will run for state representative in the new House District 28, which covers most of Marion County and part of Jasper and Lucas Counties.

“I am ready to lead District 28 and bring the voice of the middle class back into the conversation. I am passionate about the economy, health care, education for our children, and support for our veterans. Too many key issues have been put on the back-burner amidst too much political posturing and too little governing.  After listening to families for over 18 years, and their concerns about health care, and education, I will bring a voice to the Capitol on their behalf.  I will listen to all of the people of my district and work in a bi-partisan manner to do what’s best for them,” said Suhr.

Suhr is a small business owner in Knoxville and a consumer advocate for a small, grassroots organization at the State Capitol.  A trained Doula, she does business throughout Southeast and Central Iowa and also volunteers supporting expecting families through childbirth. She has been an active part of the community for seven years, after coming back to Knoxville where her extended family resides.

“I’m proud to call Knoxville my home and raise my family in our community.  As a parent of two young children, I know how critical quality education and good-paying jobs are to the future of our community.  We must strengthen Iowa’s middle class and continue to keep the state budget balanced,” added Suhr.

Megan Suhr, a Knoxville resident, grew up on a family farm outside Packwood, Iowa.  After high school, she attended Indian Hills Community College for Child Development and Early Elementary Education.  Her husband, Michael, grew up in Knoxville, and works for his family business at KNIA/KRLS and KCII.  They have two children in the Knoxville Community School District.

For more information, contact Suhr at (302) HOUSE-28 or visit

www.MeganForIowa.com.

Iowa House district 28 covers about half of Lucas County (but not its largest town, Chariton), a small area of southern Jasper County, and most of Marion County, including county seat Knoxville. Fortunately for Suhr, Marion County’s notoriously conservative town of Pella lies outside this district.