Flood recovery top priority for Running-Marquardt

By James Q. Lynch

The Gazette

Kirsten Running-Marquardt, the Democratic candidate in Iowa House 33 special election, says “smart flood recovery” is the top priority in the district that covers much of southeast and southwest Cedar Rapids.

Running-Marquardt, 32, was nominated Oct. 28, to run in a special election Nov. 24 to replace Rep. Dick Taylor, a Cedar Rapids Democrat who resigned.

She will face Republican Josh Thurston, who was nominated the following night.

“After the devastating 2008 flood, Cedar Rapids has the opportunity to come back better than ever, Running-Marquardt said. “We know there is more work to do and I will fight for continued support to give flood survivors the help, dignity and respect they deserve.

“We need smart flood recovery and prevention, which includes hiring Cedar Rapids workers to rebuild our community both stronger and safer while coordinating state level incentives for better watershed management upstream,” she said.

Running-Marquardt was born and raised on the west side of Cedar Rapids.  She attended Kirkwood Community College and graduated from the University of Iowa. After working as director of SEIU's Iowa for Health Care, Running-Marquardt became district representative for 1

^st

District Rep. David Loebsack.

She is married to Coy Marquardt and they have one son, Jack.