Boyden, Iowa — Representative John Kooiker (R-Boyden) has announced that he will not seek re-election in 2016 and will retire from the Legislature at the expiration of his term in January 2017.
Kooiker says his goal was, and still is, to help fill the gap left by the death of his good friend, Representative Dwayne Alons. Kooiker says it has been a privilege to serve in this capacity. He says he will continue to work hard to serve the citizens of District 4 through the end of his term, and then he hopes to pass the torch to the younger generation of leaders.
Rep. Kooiker cited nine additional reasons for his retirement – his nine grandchildren who will all soon be living within fifty miles from home. He is a retired farmer, rural mail carrier, and teacher. He plans to continue serving in various other capacities, including volunteer work and as a Sioux County Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioner.
Rep. Kooiker was first elected in 2015, in a special election following the death of longtime Rep. Dwayne Alons. During his time in the House, Kooiker served as Vice Chairman of the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capitals Appropriations Subcommittee, and also sat on the Labor, Local Government, Public Safety, and Veterans Affairs committees.
