There are more Latina and Latino elected officials in Iowa than at any time in the state’s history

“Last Tuesday was another major step forward for our community in electing new leaders that can make our voice heard across the state,” said LPN founder Rob Barron. “Iowa is becoming more and more diverse and it is important that the decision-making tables represent a diversity of viewpoints that mirror our state. There are so many Latina and Latino Iowans who are ready to lead, they just need the support and encouragement to run and serve. The LPN is proud to provide that.”

Last week’s statewide local elections were history making. In communities large and small across Iowa, voters elected more Latino and Latina candidates than ever before in the history of the state. 

The Latino Political Network proudly announces that 13 Latino and Latina candidates won election to local offices last week. Those numbers include the re-election of Perla Alarcon-Flory to the Sioux CIty School Board, Jessica Garcia to the Denison City Council, and Karina Hernandez to the Marshalltown School Board. 

“Last Tuesday was another major step forward for our community in electing new leaders that can make our voice heard across the state,” said LPN founder Rob Barron. “Iowa is becoming more and more diverse and it is important that the decision-making tables represent a diversity of viewpoints that mirror our state. There are so many Latina and Latino Iowans who are ready to lead, they just need the support and encouragement to run and serve. The LPN is proud to provide that.”

“It has been an honor to serve on the Sioux City Community School District (SCCSD) Board of Education for the past 8 years,” said Perla Alarcon-Flory of the Sioux City School Board. “Proudly, I am the first Latino person elected to public office in the history of Woodbury County, Iowa. I am grateful to have been elected for the 3rd time, and convinced that our work changes lives and impacts generations, I am ready to continue working!!”

“Voice and representation is what this is all about!  Our community has gained an additional four years of presence on the Des Moines Public Schools Board and it is an honor to serve in this capacity,” said recently elected Des Moines School Board member Maria Alonzo-Diaz. “I am looking forward to reframing education while maintaining the vision and values of the people we serve.”

• 13 Latina and Latino candidates won election last week, the most observed since the founding of the LPN, and likely ever in Iowa history
• That brings the total Latinx elected officials to 27, more than at any time since the LPN began keeping records and likely the most in the state’s history
• As has been reported, the West Liberty City Council will be majority-Latino for the first time in its history and the only majority-Latino local government

The Latino Political Network was founded in 2015 with the mission of educating and empowering the next generation of Latino and Latina elected officials in Iowa. The LPN formed the first census of Latino elected officials in Iowa and updates that list after every election. We work to provide free training to aspiring Latinx elected officials throughout the year and connect Latino elected officials so that they can support and uplift each other through their service.

The process to identify Latinx elected officials is time-consuming and challenging and relies on some self-identification. We identified other possible elected officials, but chose not to include them in our count as we could not verify their heritage prior to publishing this release. We encourage the press and public to visit our Facebook page to suggest other local elected Latino and Latinas not on our list.

Elected on November 2:

• • Perla Alarcon-Flory, Sioux City School Board (re-elected)
  • Maria Alonzo-Diaz, Des Moines School Board
  • Anadelia Morgan, West Des Moines School Board
  • Dana Dominguez, West Liberty City Council
  • Omar Martinez, West Liberty City Council
  • Eddie Diaz, Perry School Board
  • Jessica Garcia, Denison City Council (re-elected)
  • Karina Hernandez, Marshalltown School Board (re-elected)
  • Amici Valdez Hayek, Nevada School Board
  • Lillyan Rodriquez, Sergeant Bluff Community Schools Board of Education
  • Robert Ortiz, Davenport City Council
  • Ed Moreno, West Liberty School Board
  • Rebecca Vargas, West Liberty School Board