Republican Mark Hanson running for Iowa Senate, challenging Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott

Mark Hanson, a Republican and member of the Dallas County Board of Supervisors, is running for a seat in the Iowa Senate, he announced Thursday.

Hanson will challenge Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines. Trone Garriott won the seat in 2022 and defeated former Senate President Jake Chapman in a close contest between two incumbents created by redistricting.

A member of the Dallas County board since 2004, Hanson said in a news release announcing his candidacy that he would prioritize public safety and economic issues.

"Citizens can expect a commonsense approach to growth, economic and quality of life opportunities, as well as a proponent of public safety in the Iowa Senate," Hanson said. "I look forward to listening to voters and sharing my ideas for how to keep our communities vibrant and safe, and ensuring Iowa schools are the best in the country."

Hanson served as vice president of membership for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry from 2000-2004, as well as executive director of the Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging from 2005-2017. He touted his work to decrease property taxes and advance construction of the Dallas County Law Enforcement Center while serving on the board.

He is a native of Rosemont, Minnesota, and moved to Dallas County with family in 2000.

Trone Garriott, who was first elected in 2020, said on social media Thursday that she had filed to run for re-election.

"Help me hold on to this hard-won seat, so I can keep showing up for the people of Iowa!" Trone Garriott wrote.

She is an ordained Lutheran minister and preaches at churches in central Iowa, and has served as a hospital chaplain and with the Des Moines Area Religious Council Food Pantry Network. In the Senate, she has honed in on public education as a top issue.

The Senate district encompasses Adel, Waukee and parts of Clive and West Des Moines in Dallas County.

Galen Bacharier covers politics for the Register. Reach him at [email protected] or (573) 219-7440, and follow him on Twitter @galenbacharier.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Republican Hanson challenges Democrat Trone Garriott in Iowa Senate race