Warren Varley, a Democrat Adair County farmer and attorney, announced today (Monday), that he is running for the Iowa Senate in District 10,  which covers all of Adair and Guthrie Counties; most of Dallas County; four townships in northeast Cass County; and Union Township in Polk County (including Polk City). The seat is currently held by Republican Jake Chapman, from Adel.

Warren Varley

In a statement announcing his bid for the District Senate seat, Varley said he’s running “Because we need new leadership at the Capitol.” He said also, “Instead of focusing on political games and partisan bickering, we need a new State Senator who will work to revitalize all parts of Dallas, Guthrie, Adair and Cass counties. I am committed to helping create good jobs, expanding access to affordable health care, and improving education and opportunities in our small towns and rural areas.”

Varley has more than 25 years of experience as a main-street business owner in Stuart. His bio says he’s a leader in rural economic development across the district, and was elected president of Midwest Partnership and Stuart Enterprise for Economic Development. He has also been active in numerous community organizations, including Project Restore Foundation, Stuart Library Foundation, Adair County Farm Bureau, and Adair County Memorial Hospital Board.

He says if elected, he’ll work to: Ensure that farmers and other rural Iowans are part of the discussions about improving water quality and natural resources; Expand access to broadband, high-speed internet service; Increasing the state’s investment in public K-12 schools so that more school districts are not forced to close and consolidate; and Expand access to affordable health care and mental health care.