‘Service is central’ to GOP candidate in Linn-Benton state Senate race

VINTON — Colman Silbernagel of Vinton is seeking the GOP nomination in Iowa Senate District 42, which covers most of Benton County and rural areas of Linn County.

“Service has been central to my life,” said Silbernagel, 34, one of three candidates in the June 7 primary for the Republican nomination.

The other two are state Rep. Charlie McClintock of Alburnett and Justin Wasson of Cedar Rapids.

The open-seat district also has two Democrats competing for their party’s nomination.

Winners of the primaries will face each other in the November general election.

Silbernagel said he looks forward to representing the district “to defend life, protect our Second Amendment rights and fight for family-supporting jobs.”

Silbernagel was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army through ROTC at St. John’s University in Minnesota, where he earned a history degree.

He deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 as a route clearance platoon leader, leading patrols searching for improvised explosive devices. He completed his military service in 2019 as a captain.

Silbernagel belongs to the Vinton Kiwanis Club, Knights of Columbus, St. Mary’s Parish Council and is the former chair of the Benton County Republicans.

He and his wife, Erica, have two sons.

“I grew up on a dairy farm,” he said. “I will bring those rural values to Des Moines and deliver real results for the people of my district and my state.”

For more on the candidate, visit colmania.com/.

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