Government : Mathahs to challenge Pettengill in Iowa House District 75

Attorney and small business owner Dennis Mathahs announced that he will run in the Democratic Primary for State Representative in House District 75, which includes Benton County and the communities of Marengo, Conroy and West Amana in Iowa County.

“I am running for State Representative because Iowans and the people of the 75th district deserve a representative that will work with republicans, democrats and independents to do what is best for Iowans,” said Dennis Mathahs. “As politicians in Des Moines slashed education funding and privatized Medicaid, it became clear that the partisan politics of Washington D.C. had infiltrated Des Moines.”

Mathahs was born in Marshalltown, Iowa and raised in Manly, Iowa by his father who served as Chief of Police and his mother, a member of the City Council. “My parents not only instilled in me the importance of hard work, but also community service,” said Dennis. “As State Representative, I will draw from their example to be a tireless worker for our district.”

Dennis attended North Iowa Area Community College before enrolling at the University of Iowa. To help pay for school, Dennis waited tables at area restaurants, eventually earning his Bachelor’s degree. In 1998, Dennis returned to the University of Iowa to attend law school, inspired after advocating for hand controls to be installed in driver’s education cars so that his stepson with spina bifida and other students could learn to drive.

“I’ve dedicated my life to advocating for those that need a voice,” added Mathahs. “In the Iowa legislature I will be an advocate for the children and parents who just saw their schools lose funding, for the vulnerable who count on Medicaid for access to healthcare, and for small business owners looking to create jobs in our community.”

Dennis and his wife Meleah, a research scientist with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, live in Marengo. Dennis is the former President of the Marengo Rotary, Rotary liaison to the Boy Scouts, and member of the Board of Directors of Marengo Memorial Hospital.