Longtime Eastern Iowa senator stepping down

A veteran Democratic member of the Iowa Senate has decided to call it quits next year.

Sen. Roger Stewart, D-Preston, announced Thursday he will not seek re-election to the Senate in 2010.

Stewart, 78, has represented Senate District 13 since January 2003. The eastern Iowa district covers all of Jackson County, the northern part of Clinton County -- including the city of Clinton -- and a portion of southern Dubuque County.

“I am honored by the opportunity to have served the people of Jackson, Clinton and Dubuque counties for eight years,” Stewart said. “I am thankful for the support of constituents. They have provided me with a uniquely rewarding experience.”

Stewart saw the Senate from several perspectives, having served for two years as a minority Democrat while Republicans were in the majority, two years under a historic 25-25 tie in the Senate, and for the past three years while Democrats have controlled the Senate.

“The experience for me has been pretty unique,” he said in an interview.

Stewart noted the state's minimum wage was increased, taxes were not increased, affordable health care was expanded to more Iowa families, teacher pay and education funding were increased, college tuition was held to inflationary increases, anti-sex offender laws were strengthened, and more incentives were created to boost renewable energy during his time in the Legislature.

Stewart, who serves as chairman of the Senate Economic Growth Committee and is an ex-officio member of the Power Fund Board, said he was announcing his intentions not to seek re-election early to give other Democrats who might be considering a Senate bid ample time to make their plans.