Two Southwest Iowa residents have announced their candidacy for the state legislature.

Pat Shipley

Mayor of Nodaway Pat Shipley has announced her candidacy for Iowa House District 17. She grew up in Villisca and graduated from Iowa State. Shipley has worked in public education for over 40 years, first as a teacher and coach for 16 years and then with the Iowa State Education Association for more than 26 years as a public education employee advocate. Shipley’s campaign is advocating for the education system and access to health care.

Shipley says, “For rural Iowa to sustain itself, there must be a reason for young adults to stay and raise a family. If Iowa is to thrive, we need good-paying jobs, a strong public education system, access to affordable health care, and reliable broadband. Furthermore, we need to recognize that a changing climate impacts our farming practices and that communities that welcome diverse populations grow stronger. Iowa is headed in the wrong direction and has spent too much time longing for days gone by. For our state and local communities to prosper, we must embrace the changes before us and move forward with vision and courage to create a better future for every Iowan.”

Villisca resident Tripp Narup has announced his candidacy for Iowa State Senate District 9. He currently serves on the Villisca City Council and has focused his campaign on the issues of reproductive rights, education, infrastructure, and the tax code.

Tripp Narup

Narup said he is excited to meet fellow rural Iowans and discuss the issues they are facing. “Iowans are friendly and sensible people,” he said. “They know it is the time to get back to basics, to get back to doing the job state government is meant to do: educate our kids, maintain our roads and bridges, and protect individual rights. We’ve had enough of political bickering and make-believe culture clash issues. Let’s get back to work.”