Late Wednesday night, following a special nominating convention, Linn County committee persons in Cedar Rapids precincts 1 through 11 chose Kirsten Running-Marquardt as their candidate in the special Iowa House District 33 race that is scheduled for Nov. 24. Two days later, Running-Marquardt has issued her first official campaign statement, pledging to make flood recovery in Cedar Rapids a top priority.
"After the devastating 2008 flood, Cedar Rapids has the opportunity to come back better than ever and I'm excited to be a part of the future of Cedar Rapids," Running-Marquardt said in the prepared statement. "Our community is grateful for the support from the Iowa Legislature for recovery initiatives like IJOBS, unmet needs assistance and Jumpstart programs. However, we know there is more work to do and I will fight for continued support to give flood survivors the help, dignity and respect they deserve.
"We need smart flood recovery and prevention, which includes hiring Cedar Rapids workers to rebuild our community both stronger and safer while coordinating state level incentives for better watershed management upstream."
Running-Marquardt, the 32-year-old daughter of former Iowa Rep. Rich Running, was born and raised on the west side of Cedar Rapids. She attended Kirkwood Community College and graduated from the University of Iowa. After working for quality, affordable health care as director of SEIU's Iowa for Health Care, she became district representative for U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, a Democrat representing Iowa's 2nd Congressional District.
She is married to Coy Marquardt and has one son, Jack.
The special election, prompted by the resignation of Democratic Rep. Dick Taylor, will be held Nov. 24. On Thursday night, the Republicans selected Josh Thurston, 27, an Army veteran and union member as their candidate.
House District 33 has voter demographics that would suggest that residents will continue to be represented by a Democrat -- as they have been for the past two decades.
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