Garrett formally announces he won't seek reelection

DES MOINES - Today, Senator Julian Garrett announced he will not seek re-election to the Iowa Senate. Many were expecting this. 

Senator Garrett was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2013 in a special election and was re-elected in 2014, 2018, and 2022.

“It has been my greatest pleasure to serve in the Iowa Senate to stand up for the Constitution, fight for judicial reform to make our system fairer, and enact common-sense, conservative legislation,” said Senator Garrett. “I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and while I have been undergoing treatments, I have made the decision to not run for re-election. Throughout my time in the legislature, I have been proud to support historic tax cuts for Iowans, welfare reform to protect our system from fraud, waste and abuse, and protect life at the sign of a heartbeat. I would like to thank my constituents for their faith in me over the last several years. It has been an honor to serve you and be your voice in the Iowa Senate since 2013."

Senator Garrett grew up on a Marion County farm where he learned about hard work and personal responsibility. He has raised purebred Charolais cattle for many years and is a long time Farm Bureau member. Senator Garrett is a member of the Lutheran Church. He graduated from Central College in Pella and the University of Iowa Law School. Senator Garrett is a life-long Republican and has been a member of the Warren County Republican Central Committee for more than 40 years. He twice served as Ronald Reagan’s campaign chairman in the former 5th Congressional District.

Always willing to give his time to our young people, Senator Garrett was a volunteer Little League and soccer coach for more than 12 years. He served on the Indianola Little League Board of Directors. Senator Garrett served 12 years as Iowa’s Assistant Attorney General in Charge of Consumer Protection when it was first established.