Adam Zabner announces reelection bid for Iowa House seat

Zabner says he is serious about growing the House Democratic caucus if elected.

November 9, 2023

Iowa House District 90 seat Adam Zabner hugs a supporter during a watch party on Election Day at Big Grove Brewery and Taproom in Iowa City, on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Adam Zabner won the election for District 90 on Tuesday after running unopposed.

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Rep. Adam Zabner, D-Iowa City, announced his bid for reelection on Thursday.

Zabner, the youngest member of the Iowa Legislature, ran unopposed in the Democratic nomination for Iowa House 90 in 2022. He was born in Iowa City after his family immigrated from Venezuela. He currently runs uncontested for the seat in the November 2024 election.

“I ran because I’ve seen too many of my friends leave Iowa — and because I believe in a renewed focus on quality public education, in bold investments in our state’s future, and in creating a welcoming environment for all who live here. Iowa can lead on the biggest issues facing our country,” he said in a statement Thursday.

Before taking office, Zabner volunteered with Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg during Buttigieg’s bid for president in the 2020 Iowa Caucuses, and President Joe Biden during Biden’s general election campaign in 2020.

Since being elected in 2022, Zabner has advocated for bipartisan support of investing in fentanyl test strips. He also served on a subcommittee for a bill to invest in Amtrak railways to connect Chicago and Des Moines and worked on legislation, which was voted down, to codify the 2009 Iowa Supreme Court marriage equality decision, among other efforts.

“I’ve fought against the radical agenda put forward by the governor and Statehouse Republicans by asking tough questions on the House floor, and by speaking out against injustice — and against bad legislation,” he said.

In the past, Zabner’s key policy interests were to:

Make public and community college tuition-free for students who stay in Iowa after graduation
Prioritize funding for Iowa’s public schools
Restore bargaining rights for unions
Make Iowa City a welcome place for immigrants
Raise the minimum wage in Iowa City

“I’ve worked across the aisle where possible. I’ve traveled widely to talk to Iowans all over the state, putting miles on my Ford Fusion, because I am serious about growing our House Democratic caucus,” he said. “District 90 needs a fighter in Des Moines, and you’ve got one.”

About the Contributors

Sabine Martin, Executive Editor

(she/her/hers)

Sabine Martin is the Executive Editor of The Daily Iowan. She is a senior at the University of Iowa studying journalism and mass communications and international studies. Sabine is also earning a minor in French. As a current member PolitiFact Iowa team, Sabine was previously Managing News Editor, News Editor, Summer News Editor, and a News Reporter covering higher education at the DI. Sabine interned for U.S. News and World Report in Washington, D.C. in 2023 as an education reporter and for the Cedar Rapids Gazette in 2022.

Grace Smith, Senior photojournalist and filmmaker

she/her/hers

Grace Smith is a fourth-year student at the University of Iowa double majoring in Journalism and Cinematic Arts. In her four years at The Daily Iowan, she has held the roles of photo editor, managing summer editor, and visual storyteller. Outside of The Daily Iowan, Grace has held an internship at The Denver Post and pursued freelance assignments for the Cedar Rapids Gazette and the Des Moines Register.