Greiner to retire from Iowa Senate in 2014

CEDAR RAPIDS – Longtime Washington County lawmaker Sen. Sandy Greiner will retire in 2014 at the end of her current term.

Greiner, who has served multiple stints in the Iowa House and Senate, not represents Senate 39 covering parts of Johnson, Keokuk and Washington counties.

First elected in 1992, Greiner said she didn't make her decision lightly.

“I have spent much of the past two decades listening to Iowans' concerns and taking the necessary actions to make our state the best in the nation,” said Greiner, 67, who has been an advocate for Iowa agriculture.

Also Friday, another long-time Republican legislator, Sen. Nancy Boettger, 70, of Harlan, announced her retirement. She was first elected in 1994 and was the ranking Republican on the Education Committee, and sits on the Midwest Higher Education Commission, Education Commission of the States.

Rep. Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, has announced he will seek to replace her in Senate 29. A Denison businessman, Steve Holt, announced he will run for Schultz's House 29 seat.

No candidates have announced in Senate 39. Rep. Jarad Klein, R-Keota, who represents half of the Senate district, ruled out running for the Senate seat, but expects there will be other candidates.

First-term Democrat Rep. Sally Stutsman of Riverside represents House 77, the other half of the Senate district. She did not immediately respond to questions about her plans.

Greiner, who is involved in a family farming operation, was ranking member of the Ethics and Natural Resources and Environment committees.

Greiner has 14 years of experience in the House. She was elected to the Senate in 2010.

As a legislator, among the issues she worked on were water quality and the environment, and agriculture. Greiner was a co-author of legislation to eradicate pseudorabies, which afflicted hog herds. Before serving in the Legislature, she was active in her community and was the recipient of Gov. Terry Branstad's Outstanding Volunteer Award in 1993.

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