DES MOINES, Iowa – State Rep. Joe Mitchell, R-Mount Pleasant, announced his re-election bid for Iowa House on Friday. Mitchell currently represents Iowa House District 84. Under the newly confirmed redistricting maps, he will run for Iowa House District 87 in 2022.
Mitchell’s announcement sets up a primary with State Rep. Jeff Shipley, R-Birmingham, who currently represents Iowa House District 82 and was also drawn into the new Iowa House District 87.
“In my first two terms in office, I’ve worked hard to be a strong voice for my constituents,” Mitchell said in a released statement. “I’m running for re-election so that I can continue to be a strong, conservative voice in the Capitol for Southeast Iowa. It’s now more important than ever that we have strong leaders in the Statehouse willing to dig in and work hard to defend Iowans’ freedoms, grow the workforce, and deliver sustainable tax relief for Iowans.”
Outside of the legislature, Mitchell owns and operates his own real estate development company focusing on bringing quality housing for seniors to rural Iowa. In the Iowa House, Mitchell serves on the Administration and Rules, Commerce, Judiciary, State Government, Ways and Means committees, and the RIIF budget subcommittee, in addition to his role as an assistant leader.
“Serving the people of Iowa through these most difficult moments in our nation’s history is not a responsibility I take lightly,” Shipley said in a Facebook post in November announcing his candidacy.
“The reports of governments around the world instituting medical apartheid are incredibly disturbing. The civil rights complaints of Iowans facing discrimination in their workplace are also egregious, and the executive branch must ensure these laws are enforced. Our public school system is still in desperate need of serious and comprehensive reform. As a society, we are not providing our children the love and support they truly need. But yet, it’s really no surprise our children feel so anxious and depressed when they observe the world they are inheriting. Responding to the needs of our community today is a big undertaking,” he added.
Shipley is the vice chair of the Labor Committee and also serves on the Information Technology and Local Government committees. He is also a member of the joint International Relations Committee.
Iowa House District 87 includes all of Van Buren County as well as southern portions of Jefferson and Henry County that include Fairfield and Mount Pleasant.
Mitchell’s current district, Iowa House District 84, contains all of Henry County, as well as portions of Washington, and Lee Counties. Shipley’s current district, Iowa House House District 82, includes parts of Jefferson County, including Fairfield, and Davis and Van Buren counties.
Mitchell and Shipley will both seek their third term in the Iowa House.
