Smith re-elected leader of Iowa House Democrats

CEDAR RAPIDS - Iowa House Minority Leader Mark Smith survived a challenge from a freshman member of his caucus Saturday to win a full term as spokesman for the House Democrats.

Smith, a Marshalltown social worker and former director of special projects at the Substance Abuse Treatment Unit of Central Iowa, said it was an honor to be chosen to lead the caucus when the Legislature convenes Jan. 12.

'With four new members and a diverse caucus, we're ready to work together in January to improve the lives of regular people and build a strong middle class,” said Smith, who will begin his eighth term in January.

His victory margin was not announced.

House Democrats also elected four assistant minority leaders: Reps. Ako Abdul-Samad of Des Moines, Mary Gaskill of Ottumwa, Todd Prichard of Charles City and Sharon Steckman of Mason City.

Smith, who became minority leader in August 2013 when Rep. Kevin McCarthy resigned to join the staff of the Iowa attorney general, was challenged by Rep. Brian Meyer, who was elected to succeed McCarthy in his southeast Des Moines district.

Smith will lead a caucus of 43 Democrats. Republicans picked up four seats in the Nov. 4 election, giving them a 57-43 majority.

Although House Democrats lost ground in the election, there are four new members of their caucus: Liz Bennett of Cedar Rapids, Timi Brown-Powers of Waterloo, Abby Finkenauer of Dubuque and Charlie McConkey of Council Bluffs.

Smith is a graduate of Graceland College in Lamoni and earned a master's degree in social work from the University of Iowa. He also provided training to substance abuse counselors and social workers. He is the only member of the Iowa Legislature who worked at the World Trade Center site after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

He and his wife, Karen, have one grown daughter, and he has two grown foster sons.