Former Tiffin mayor seeks Republican nomination for Iowa House 77 seat

Former Mayor of Tiffin Royce Phillips has announced his candidacy for Iowa's House of Representatives District 77 seat.

Phillips announced in a Sunday news release his plans to run for the Republican nomination in the June 7 primary.

'(District) 77 is one of the most diverse districts in Iowa, with the growing communities of northern Johnson County as well as the strong agricultural communities in the southern part of the county,” Phillips said in the release. 'I look forward to a campaign that will emphasize the need for fiscal responsibility, small government and common sense leadership.”

The District 77 seat will be vacant at the end of this year following Representative Sally Stutsman's announcement earlier this year that she would not seek a third term in the House.

Current North Liberty Mayor Amy Nielsen has announced her plans to seek the Democratic nomination this upcoming primary.

Phillips, who served on the Tiffin City Council as a council member and mayor, has also served on the Municipal Planning Organization of Johnson County and is a member of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce and a past president of the North Corridor Rotary Club.

District 77 is a largely rural district that covers most of Johnson County west of Interstate 380, the portion of the county south of Iowa City. The district also covers several growing communities including North Liberty, Tiffin, Oxford, Swisher and Shueyville.