Convenience store owner to run for Iowa House seat

Josh Sundstrom, a businessman from rural Jones County, has filed to run as a Republican for House District 58, which covers Jackson County and portions of Jones and Dubuque counties in Eastern Iowa.

Sundstrom, 35, is the owner and operator of the small chain of Sundstop convenience stores in Olin, Martelle and Dyersville.

He is running to fill the seat now held by three-term Rep. Brian Moore, R-Bellevue, who is retiring.

Two other Republicans — Randy Forrest, 61, of Cascade, and Allen Ernst, 46, of Bellevue — have announced their intention to run for the seat. Democrat Peter Hird, 33, of Bernard, has also announced he will run for the seat. The primary election is June 7.

Sundstrom graduated from Sheldon High School and earned a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's degree in business administration in operations management from Clarke University in Dubuque.

Sundstrom began his Sundstop business with 10 employees and now has more than 30.

'The burdens and regulations faced by our small town businesses are numerous,' said Sundstrom. 'Our rural communities count on these businesses for jobs, services, and to keep main streets flourishing. We need to create a business-friendly environment to promote business growth and create jobs.'

House 58 consists of the communities of Cascade, Maquoketa, Bellevue and Oxford Junction.

Sundstrom, his wife and five children live outside Mechanicsville.

District 58 has 6,968 registered Democrats, 4,726 registered Republicans and 9,151 no-party voters, according to the Iowa Secretary of State's Office.