DES MOINES, Iowa – The special election in Iowa House District 37 is less than a month away. Gov. Kim Reynolds set the date on September 14, 2021, earlier this month, shortly after State Rep. John Landon, R-Ankeny, passed away.
Republicans on Saturday nominated Michael Bousselot during a special nominating convention. He currently serves as the director of the Iowa Department of Management, a role he has held since February 8, 2021. In addition, Bousselot served as chief of staff, legal counsel, and a policy advisor in the Branstad – Reynolds administration. A Davenport native, Bousselot lives in Ankeny with his wife, Holly. He graduated from the University of Iowa with undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting and a law degree from Drake University Law School.
“I am honored to be the Republican nominee to fill the seat of late Representative John Landon,” said Bousselot. “These are big shoes to fill, but I intend to embody the character and dedication that John brought to this job. I believe parents know what’s best for their children. I have always made it a priority to listen to Iowans and I intend to take that same mentality to serving Ankeny in the Iowa House.”
Bousselot will face former Iowa Democratic Party vice-chair Andrea Phillips, who challenged Landon in 2016 and 2020 on September 14.
She formally launched her campaign on August 6. Phillips lives in Ankeny with her family. She holds an undergraduate degree in economics and is currently a graduate student at John Hopkins University. She worked for a multinational company in Shanghai, China, before moving back to Iowa with her husband to raise their family.
Landon defeated Andrea Phillips in 2020 by 6.4 percent, whom he also defeated by 15 points in 2016. His race in 2018 was much closer, winning by 4.1 points, but he ran ahead of Reynolds, who won by 3.1 points.
Republicans currently enjoy a 1500 registered voter advantage, a smaller advantage than what Republicans saw in 2020.
