Schulte to seek third term in Iowa House

CEDAR RAPIDS – Republican Rep. Renee Schulte, who has spearheaded efforts to reform the delivery of mental health services, will seek a third term in the Iowa House.

Schulte, 40, a strategic planning adviser to Four Oaks, Inc., faces a rematch with one-term Rep. Art Staed, D-Cedar Rapids, who she defeated by 13 votes in 2008.

Schulte, who has worked to cut government waste, reduce “out-of-control” spending and create a “climate conducive to helping businesses create jobs for hardworking Iowans,” said he wants to continue those efforts.

“I am encouraged by the progress that has been made to make state government more responsive, transparent and efficient, however there is still work to be done,” she said

In addition to getting state spending under control, Schulte wants to develop innovative ways to spark Iowa's business climate.

“We need to get government out of the way and encourage employers to invest in our state and workforce,” she said.

Schulte serves as chairwoman of the Administration and Rules Committee in the Republican-controlled House. She also serves on the Appropriations, Education, Human Resources and State Government committees.  Schulte also is a House assistant majority leader.

Schulte and her husband, Brent, live in Cedar Rapids.

Staed, 62, a teacher and businessman, served one two-year term in the House before losing to Schulte. They will square off in House 66, a new district created in by the redrawing of legislative boundaries following the decennial census to reflect population changes. It includes Cedar Rapids north and east of First Avenue, west of the Cedar River, those parts of Cedar Rapids that wrap around Hiawatha and south of Collins Road.

Voter registration in the new district gives Democrats an edge. There are 7,540 Democrats registered in the district, 6,334 Republicans and 21,242 no party voters.

Members of the Iowa House are elected to two-year terms and paid $25,000 a year.