Republicans in the Iowa House have elected the first woman speaker of the house in state history. Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake will become speaker in January, when the 2016 Iowa legislature convenes.
Upmeyer’s late father, Del Stromer (STROH-mer), served as House Speaker in the early 1980s and Upmeyer grew emotional as she talked about him.
Republican House Speaker Kraig Paulsen of Hiawatha announced earlier this month that he would not seek reelection in 2016 and will be stepping down from his role in January. The 57 Republicans who serve in the Iowa House met this morning (Thursday) to elect Upmeyer as Paulsen’s successor. She will become the top-ranking Republican in the legislature.
