Aurelia, Iowa — A Republican candidate for a northwest Iowa State Senate seat is challenging the residency of his opponent.
Republican candidate for Iowa State Senate District 3, Lynn Evans, has filed an objection to his primary opponent’s candidacy calling into question his state residency. Evan’s objection cites that it’s likely his opponent, Anthony LaBruna, has not been a legal resident of the State of Iowa for one year as required by state law in order to qualify for the November ballot.
The law doesn’t prohibit a person from moving into a senate district purely for political motives but it does lay out certain requirements in order to put your name on the ballot, according to Evans. He says one of those requirements is Iowa residency for a year. And, Evans says, the state has a responsibility to its people to ensure that these requirements have been met without questions.
LaBruna is a native of California who attended Iowa State University before moving to Washington, D.C. As recently as September he was residing in Florida, according to Evans. Immediately following redistricting, LaBruna again appeared in Des Moines where he announced his candidacy for the Iowa State Senate. He reportedly now lives in Storm Lake.
Evans says that if the state determines that LaBruna meets all requirements, he will welcome him to the campaign trail.
Evans says, “Serving in the Iowa Senate is a job that should be taken very seriously. “It takes a deep understanding of your district and the people you represent. That knowledge can’t be absorbed by simply moving into the area to run for office.”
Evans is a former northwest Iowa school superintendent who currently resides in his hometown of Aurelia.
Iowa Senate District 3 consists of all of O’Brien, Osceola and Buena Vista counties, along most of Clay and Cherokee counties.
Iowa Senate District 3 is highlighted in red in the image below…
