Government, Local News
Kirsten Running wins House 33 seat
Posted on Nov 24, 2009 by James Q. Lynch.
Kirsten Running-Marquardt
Kirsten Running-Marquardt handily won election to a seat in the Iowa House from a heavily Democratic south-side Cedar Rapids district in a special election Tuesday.
Unofficial results from the Linn County Auditor’s Office show her winning 78 percent to 22 percent, where she pulled in more than 1500 votes to the 420 votes won by her Republican opponent, Joshua Thurston.
“It’s going to be a tough budget year,” Running-Marquardt said. “So tomorrow I’m going to get to work.”
Running-Marquardt hopes to improve the local economy as well as make sure that Iowans have better access to affordable health care and education.
““I think it’s an exciting fresh start for West side of Cedar Rapids,” Running-Marquardt said. “I look forward to tackling how to get more and better local jobs in the area and improve the economy.”
Running-Marquardt, 32, who grew up in the district, will succeed Rep. Dick Taylor, who resigned earlier this fall. Her victory in House 33 maintains Democrats’ 54-46 margin in the House.
Although this was her first campaign as a candidate, Running-Marquardt is no newcomer to politics. Her father, Rich Running, represented part of the district in the Iowa House for four terms before being elected to the state Senate. She also has worked on several issue and candidate campaigns. She now works in Democratic U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack’s Cedar Rapids office.
She defeated another first-time candidate, Josh Thurston, 27, who said he felt called to serve his neighbors in the district that was hard hit by flooding in 2008. Registered as “no party” before the election, Thurston, who works at Cargill, had been registered as “no party” before seeking the GOP nomination.
Both candidates focused on flood recovery and, touting their relative youth, said they were the voice of leadership from a new generation.
Running-Marquardt rolled up a sizable fundraising advantage, according to campaign finance reports filed before the election. She raised $43,115 with much of it coming from labor unions. Thurston, a Teamster, raised $2,000.
Running-Marquardt has lived in the district most of her life. She attended Kirkwood Community College, is a University of Iowa graduate and is working on a master’s at University of Northern Iowa. She and her husband, Coy Marquardt, have a son.
I believe the Democratic edge in the Iowa House is 56-44.
The are both Dems…so the number didn't change. Way to use that brain
At least dsmdem has one.
Big Congrats Kirsten! and thanx for your helping me with the family and recognition of US Congressman Bromwell's funeral service.
big congats to the republican party in Linn county ….. how many losses can you guys endure before throwing in the towel ?
Agreed! Keep it up! Should have had Sarah Palin come in and campaign for their dud of a candidate! Dems = Stronger America, Repubs = Party of NO!
Republicans are the party of NO.
No health care for poor people.
No financial aid for students.
No support for single mothers.
Why should taxpayers foot the bill for the choices of others? Is it possible that poverty is an outcome of poor choices such as addiction, criminal activities and outright laziness? Finicial aid for students should be paid for by the student who will reap the beniefits of his education. Single mothers should get child support from the childs father (if she is able figure out who he is) not get support from others who had nothing to do with her choice to produce children without the means to suppoort them. Thank goodness there is a party of NO to balance out the party of handouts.
That's part of living in a society. Sorry, if you don't want to help your fellow neighbor out, then move somewhere where that is allowed. Plenty of 3rd world nations are like that. However, here in the first world, we tend to try to keep people from starving to death on the streets.
congrats Mrs. Running-Marquardt!
I'm trying to figure out why the site admins will not post my comment as I have said nothing that is not true…and I was appropriately civil.
What a joke of a paper.
yes yes, this is correct, however it will not change
FACT: She has long standing ties to SEIU-ACORN.
More reasons to support her. Glad to know that. Congratulations and thanks, ms. Running-Marquardt
That means she has my support too
SEIU Brownshirt thuggery ACORN Voter, and Tax Fraud
Good to know, I'm glad she got my vote as well!
You're a fool. Let me guess…you're "Funemployed Obama voter"
I'm fine with that. Just fine.
Guess praying does not win elections, did they learn their lesson? I am sure they have not
+1 republicans will never learn!
"how many losses can you guys endure before throwing in the towel ? "
Oh we'll just make it up in the 2010 bielections after all the Generic Ballot already has the GOP up 7 points
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Oh wait, you're serious!?!
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Look at the numbers. He's right. Was it fun running everything for three years and handing it right back?
Quite a comprehensive list and makes for very interesting reading… Hopefully will be able to do it all though!!!
why should it matter to me or anyone else if two people that love eachother would like to commit to eachother in a legal union..I do not undertand why anyone would be against it….by not allowing gay people to marry will not stop them from being together so for people that oppose, what is their point? And why is it anyones business?
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that’s all good and dandy, but the real controversy is with paris hilton. why is she always in trouble? it seems that she is always in trouble with the law and she never gets into any serious jail time. i bet she will get out this time too. i would bet good money that she gets off this time too. i am so sick of watching this chick get away with murder. she should have to live by our rules!
I remember reading that national unemployment may actually go up 1% as a result of the spill itself and then the layoff of relief workers when its over. This would include the fisherman who were contracted to help out who will now be let go.Guess we’ll see.
Each year the number of power elites who enjoy continues to rise.
See, the reason is a piece of cake.
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