Warren Varley of Stuart, an Adair County farmer and attorney, announced Monday the launch of his campaign for the Iowa Senate District 10 seat, which includes Perry, the most populous town in the district.
“I’m running for the Iowa Senate because we need new leadership at the capitol,” Varley said Monday. “Instead of focusing on political games and partisan bickering, we need a new state senator who will work to revitalize all parts of Dallas, Guthrie, Adair and Cass counties.”
Varley, a Democrat, has been a main-street business owner in Stuart for more than 25 years and a leader in rural economic development across the district, including serving as president of the Midwest Partnership and Stuart Enterprise for Economic Development.
His experience also includes participation in many community organizations, including Project Restore Foundation, Stuart Library Foundation, Adair County Farm Bureau and Adair County Memorial Hospital Board.
Iowa Senate District 10 covers all of Adair and Guthrie counties, most of Dallas County, four townships in northeast Cass County and Union Township in Polk County, including Polk City. The district is currently represented by second-term Adel Republican Jake Chapman.
Varley said he is “committed to helping create good jobs, expanding access to affordable health care and improving education and opportunities in our small towns and rural areas. It is time to invest in creating the future that we want for our children and grandchildren. We must build an economy that rewards hard work, compassion and productivity, not just wealth and power.”
Varley said some of the items at the top of his legislative agenda include:
- Making sure that farmers and other rural Iowans are part of the discussions about improving water quality and natural resources,
- Expanding access to broadband, high-speed internet service,
- Increasing the state’s investment in public K-12 schools so that fewer school districts are forced to close and consolidate,
- Expanding access to affordable health care and mental health care.
Varley said he grew up in a household centered on public service. His father, Andrew Varley, served central Iowa as a Republican legislator for 12 years, leading with respect for his colleagues and constituents, regardless of political party.
Warren Varley and his wife, Karen Varley, met as agriculture students at Iowa State University and now live on the family farm in Adair County. They have been married for 36 years, are parents of four grown children and are active members of the United Methodist Church.
“I am committed to listening to and learning from the people of the district,” Varley said. “That’s why I encourage anyone to call me at 515-523-2456 or email me at VoteVarley@gmail.com.”
