DES MOINES — The Republican Party of Iowa State Central Committee re-elected Chairman Jeff Kaufmann to his fourth term, making him the second longest-serving chair in Republican Party of Iowa history. Additionally, former Speaker of the Iowa House Linda Upmeyer was elected as Co-Chair.
“I am humbled to have the opportunity to serve another term as Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa. In 2022, we will keep Iowa moving and put Gov. Reynolds’ back in Terrace Hill, and send Sen. Chuck Grassley back to Washington, D.C.,” said Kaufmann. “Under GOP leadership, Iowa has grown to be the best state in the nation and we will keep it that way.”
Prior to serving as the state party chair, Kaufmann served eight years in the Iowa House, where he was selected as Speaker Pro Tem. He is a seventh-generation family farmer from Wilton. He is a professor at Muscatine Community College where he teaches history and government.
Jeff and his wife, Vicki, have been married for more than 36 years, and have three grown sons and one grandchild.
Linda Upmeyer previously served 18 years in the Iowa House, where she was the first woman to be elected Speaker of the House. She is a nurse practitioner from Clear Lake.
“The Republican Party of Iowa and Chairman Kaufmann have been a huge asset in keeping Republican majorities in the state legislature and sending Republicans to Washington, D.C.,” said Upmeyer. “I’m excited to help expand these majorities in 2022 as we see tons of opportunities across the state.”
Linda and her husband Doug have five children and seven grandchildren.
Outgoing Co-Chair, Cody Hoefert of Rock Rapids, released the following statement:
“I am proud to have worked alongside Chairman Kaufmann to have gained a U.S. Senate seat, flip and expand our majority in the Iowa Senate, retain our majority in the Iowa House, and deliver the state for President Trump in two consecutive presidential elections. I wish Linda Upmeyer and Chairman Kaufmann the best heading into 2022.”
Also elected was Bill Gustoff of Des Moines as Treasurer and Cheryl Weisheit of Ankeny as Secretary.
