Democratic candidate announces race in Iowa Senate 39

An open-seat race in Iowa Senate 39 has attracted a Democratic candidate.

Richard Gilmore, 62, of Washington is seeking the Democratic nomination in the Johnson-Washington-Keokuk County district now represented by Sen. Sandy Greiner, R-Keota.

Gilmore's priorities will be job growth and quality of life, he said in his announcement.

The race has attracted two Republican candidates: former Tiffin mayor Royce Phillips and Michael Moore of Washington.

An Eastern Iowa native, Gilmore is a graduate of the United Electronics Institute in West Des Moines and has worked as a line serviceman and repairing televisions and medical and X-ray equipment.

After moving to Washington in 1995, he renovated a Victorian farmhouse that he then operated as a bed and breakfast for 10 years before starting to restore older homes. He has restored and remodeled five homes in Washington.

In addition to his work, Gilmore is a member of the Washington United Methodist Church, where he has served as chairman of the trustees and as finance chairman. He also served as president of the Iowa Bicycle Racing Association.

Gilmore and his wife, Robin Plattenberger-Gilmore, have been married for 40 years. They have two adult children.

Senate 39 includes all of Keokuk County; most of Washington County; and portions of western and southern Johnson County, including the communities of Swisher, Shueyville, Oxford, North Liberty, Tiffin, Frytown, and Lone Tree.