DES MOINES, Iowa – Jeff Reichman, a Republican from Montrose, is the state senator-elect for Iowa Senate District 42. He defeated incumbent State Senator Rich Taylor, D-Mt. Pleasant, in November and will be sworn-in on Monday.
Iowa Senate District 42 includes eastern Jefferson, southern Washington, Henry, and Lee counties. Reichman defeated Taylor 59.8 percent (16,738) to 40 percent (11,211).
Reichman is a 28-year Marine Corps veteran that included two combat tours in Iraq. While in the Marines, he served as a commissioned officer in logistics and strategic communications; he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
While in the Marines, he earned several commendations such as the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and Korean Defense Medal.
Reichman worked for Roquette America (plans to resign before the session starts), and he owns a home inspection business.
He earned an A.A. in Business Administration from Southeastern Community College in Keokuk and a B.S. in Business Administration from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant.
Reichman told The Iowa Torch the decline of economic opportunity is why he ran for Iowa Senate.
“After my active duty time with USMC, I returned to southeast Iowa. Southeast Iowa lost a third of its population, several manufacturing facilities, and small businesses,” he said.
“I had to travel 45 minutes to buy a pair of slacks because there is not one men’s clothing store left in Lee or Henry County. It is sad to see the empty storefronts, vacant lots, dilapidated homes, and infrastructure. We have all the resources to be successful – rail, airports, highway system, and access to river traffic, and we need to make it happen. I’ve spent most of my life in public service, and I couldn’t stand by and not get involved,” Reichmann added.
He served four years with Keokuk Economic Development, including one year as its president. Reichman also served as the co-chair of the Lee County Republican Party.
Reichmann said his top priority is economic development.
“That is a broad term; however, it involves not only encouraging business development but most importantly raising the standard of living and improving the quality of life for southeast Iowa,” he told The Iowa Torch.
Education as the state’s top expenditure is also an area of focus. Reichman said he wants to ensure that Iowa’s children receive the education and skills they need so they can take advantage of future opportunities and see success.
He also plans to work to keep healthcare costs for Iowans low and keep Iowa’s rural hospitals open.
Reichmann was appointed to serve as the co-chair for the Iowa Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and serve on the Appropriations, Judiciary, and Economic Development committees.
