Statewide Iowa — Former Iowa Lieutenant Governor JoAnn McIntosh Zimmerman has died at the age of 82.
Zimmerman was the first woman to be elected on her own as Iowa’s lieutenant governor. She was also the last to run and win independently in 1986. The state’s constitution was changed for the 1990 election, so party nominees for governor and lieutenant governor started running together as a team like the president and vice president do. Zimmerman, a Democrat from Waukee, ran for governor in 1990. She dropped out of the race before the primary and was Don Avenson’s running mate for the General Election. Two years later, Zimmerman co-founded DAWN — the Democratic Activist Women’s Network — to support other candidates.
Zimmerman was a registered nurse and held several administrative positions at Broadlawns Hospital in Des Moines. Zimmerman had served three terms in the Iowa House before her election to one term as lieutenant governor in 1986.
Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise on Thursday, October 24th to sunset on Friday, October 25th in honor and remembrance of Zimmerman.
Governor Reynolds says, “Jo Ann blazed a trail for others to follow. As a nurse, school board member, legislator and Lt. Governor, she led with a caring heart and with a true passion for public service. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and loved ones.”
Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state.
Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flags at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.
RadioIowa contributed to this report.
