DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa House Democrats on Monday evening selected State Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, as their new leader replacing outgoing Minority Leader Todd Prichard, D-Charles City. She served as the House Minority Whip during the 2021 legislative session and is the first female leader of the Iowa House Democratic caucus.
“I’m honored to earn the trust of my colleagues to lead our fight to ensure Iowans’ voices are heard and truly represented in Des Moines,” Konfrst said in a released statement. “I love my home state, and I believe the legislature must do better for all Iowans. For too long, Republicans have put the needs of special interests ahead of Iowans’ needs. It’s time for a change in the Iowa House, and I’m ready to get to work.”
She represents Iowa House District 43 and is serving her second term in the Iowa House. She is an associate professor in Drake University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication and worked for 12 years at Iowa PBS. She has also provided strategic communications counsel to nonprofit, state, and corporate organizations during her career.
Konfrst has served on the Appropriations, Judiciary, State Government, Transportation, and House Administration and Rules Committees.
Konfrst lives in Windsor Heights with her husband of 25 years, Lee Konfrst, and her two children: Ellie is a senior at the University of Notre Dame, and James is a sophomore at the University of Iowa. Lee is an attorney and works at Nationwide in Des Moines. They are members of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in Des Moines,
Speaker of the Iowa House Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, congratulated Konfrst on her new role.
“Congratulations to Representative Konfrst on being newly elected as Minority Leader. I look forward to working with her in her new role. With House Republicans now representing 97 out of Iowa’s 99 counties, Iowans have made their voices heard loud and clear on the actions they’d like to see from their elected officials. I am hopeful Democrats will join Republicans’ efforts to move the state forward and advance an agenda that matches Iowans’ values,” he said in a released statement.
