About Dave
Senator Dave Rowley lives in Spirit Lake, Iowa. He has served since 2022 in the Iowa Senate. Rowley was first elected in a special election on December 14, 2021, with 75.6% of the vote. He was sworn in as Iowa Senator for District 1 on January 10, 2022, representing Clay, Dickinson, Lyon, Osceola, and Palo Alto counties. He was elected to his first full four-year term following the state's redistricting to represent District 5 in November of 2022. He currently represents Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Winnebago and part of Clay counties.
Rowley served in leadership roles as a Chair and Co-Chair in the Dickinson County Republican Central Committee for over twelve years. He was nominated to the 2020 Republican National Convention. He was the recipient of the Iowa Senate's Republican Platform Champion award in 2024 for casting the highest number of votes in the senate that most aligned with the Republican platform in 2023.
Senator Rowley enjoyed a 37 year career in the property and casualty insurance industry. His career spanned underwriting and marketing for United Fire Group, insurance agency executive management and sales for insurance agencies, including President of Bank Midwest Insurance Services tri-state regional agencies, and consulting. He served on the board of directors for the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa (IIAI/The Big I) for thirteen years, including as President of the board in 2021-2022. Rowley graduated from the University of Iowa with a BA in Psychology. He held the following insurance designations: Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Cerified Insurance Counselor (CIC), and Associate in Underwriting (AU).
Senator Rowley and his wife Kris have been married for 45 years. They have four adult children and four grandchildren. Senator Rowley has been active in his community in leadership roles across many boards. He served as president of the Iowa Great Lakes Rotary, president of the Spirit Lake Community School Foundation, and president of The Pearson Lakes Art Center in Okoboji. He and his wife are members of First Lutheran Church in West Okoboji. Rowley is also a professional musician. He was inducted into the Iowa Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in 2024 in recognition of his lifelong career as a performing singer/guitarist and songwriter.
Serving As Senator:
When I first ran for the Iowa Senate in a special election in the fall of 2021, I made a promise to build on the momentum Republicans had created regarding commonsense legislation, lowering taxes, growing our economy, and building our rural workforce. I am also committed to fight for policies that would bring more job opportunities to Iowa. Iowa is my lifelong home. I am driven to make Iowa the best state to live, work and raise a family.
I am a Conservative and a Constitutionalist. I'm guided by these foundational principles. I believe that our freedoms are given by God. I believe in government by the people. I believe in the sanctity of marriage, and that family is the key to raising healthy children. I believe in protecting the unborn. Iowa offers limitless opportunities for families to thrive. Iowa's affordability, quality education, public safety and beautiful landscapes gives its citizens the means to prosper.
Since taking office I've been privileged to see numerous bills I've championed signed into law by Governor Reynolds. Many of these laws support a strong rural economy and provide disaster relief to our district. They also offer vital assistance to familes, the elderly and disabled, our schools and public safety. I voted for legislation to ensure Iowa girls will compete in school sports against other girls, not against boys. And I was there when Governor Reynolds signed that bill into law!
I championed a permanent 3.8% flat state income tax rate, putting more money back in the pockets of hardworking Iowans. I fought hard to eliminate taxes on retirement income, providing much needed relief for Iowa's retirees. These measures were key actions taken to help offset the sting of the historically high inflation seen during the Biden administration. Inflation that averaged a painful 8% throughout the months in 2022. I continue to support policy that will lower taxes to help Iowa families afford necessities, build savings and accomplish their dreams.
I stand side by side with our law enforcement officers. The rule of law is an underlyng principle for an orderly society. Without it, we have chaos. I support laws that back the Blue. I support enforcing legal immigration. A country without borders, is no longer a country. I do not support illegal immigration.
I support private property ownership rights and the protections our Consitution provides citizens under the 5th Amendment's "Takings Clause". I am against the use of eminent domain for persons or private interests without a direct benefit provided to the public. The use of eminent domain is meant for public use, such as building roads, highways or utilities that all Iowans can use, and benefit from.
I am serving you on the following Senate committees:
- Ways and Means (vice-chair)
- Judiciary
- Commerce
- Health & Human Services
- Appropriations Committee - Administration & Regulations subcommittee (vice-chair).
- Ethics (chair)
- Adminstrative Rules and Regulations (co-chair)
I announced my campaign for re-election as your Iowa Senator for District 5 last August 2025. I am facing a primary opponent in the upcoming June 2, 2026 election. I am committed to our northwest Iowa District 5. I will continue to fight for you in Des Moines. I have had four years of experience in the Iowa Senate and serve on leadership positions on several key committees. I ask for your support and for your vote on June 2, 2026.
Donations of any amount can be made to Rowley for Iowa Senate. You can donate through this website or WinRed. Checks can be sent to:
Rowley for Iowa Senate
1311 Gary Avenue
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
Thank you for your prayers and support during my time in the Senate. I hope I can continue to count on you as we work together to keep Iowa the best state to live, work and raise a family!