DES MOINES, Iowa – State Rep. Brian Best, R-Glidden, announced on Wednesday he will not seek another term in the Iowa House of Representatives. Best, who is 63-years-old, has served in the Iowa House since 2015. He currently represents Iowa House District 11 that includes all of Carroll and Audubon counties, and portions of Shelby and Pottawattamie counties.
He did not state why he decided not to run for re-election.
“It has been an honor to serve the people of District 11 and the state of Iowa,” Best said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have made a difference in the lives of others, and I am proud of the work we have accomplished together in the Statehouse.”
During his time in the Iowa House, Best served on a number of committees, including Commerce, Health and Human Services, Labor and Workforce, and Ways and Means.. He was also a leader in updating Iowa’s laws surrounding pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). He currently serves as the chair of the House Transportation Committee.
“Brian Best has been a valuable asset to the Iowa House of Representatives,” said Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford. “He is a dedicated public servant who has always put the needs of his constituents first. I will miss working with him, but I wish him all the best in his retirement from the Iowa Legislature.”
Also, Best was one of nine House Republicans who voted against the Students First Education Savings Accounts bill, HF 68, that Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law in January. In the 2022 election cycle, several Republican school choice opponents, after being opposed by Reynolds, lost their primaries, allowing the school choice measure to pass in 2023 after similar bills stalled in the chamber the previous two years.
Best’s retirement will create an open seat in Iowa House District 11. Republicans currently enjoy a large voter registration advantage, having 7,762 registered voters compared to 3,695 registered Democrats. There are 4,894 registered independent voters in the district.
