Dave Loebsack facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dave Loebsack
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 2nd district
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2021
Preceded by	Jim Leach
Succeeded by	Mariannette Miller-Meeks
Personal details
Born	David Wayne Loebsack (1952-12-23) December 23, 1952 (age 72) Sioux City, Iowa, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Terry Loebsack
Children	4
Education	Iowa State University (BA, MA) University of California, Davis (PhD)

David Wayne Loebsack (born December 23, 1952) is an American politician. He served as a U.S. representative for Iowa's 2nd district from 2007 to 2021. This means he was a lawmaker who helped make decisions for the country. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Before becoming a politician, he was a professor of political science at Cornell College. He taught there starting in 1982. On April 12, 2019, Mr. Loebsack announced he would not run for reelection.

Working in the U.S. House of Representatives

As a U.S. Representative, Dave Loebsack worked in the U.S. Congress. This is where laws are made for the whole country.

What are Committee Assignments?

In Congress, lawmakers work in smaller groups called committees. These groups focus on specific topics. This helps them study issues in detail and create new laws.

• Committee on Armed Services
  • This committee deals with topics related to the military and national defense.
    • Subcommittee on Military Personnel: Focused on issues for military members.
    • Subcommittee on Readiness: Focused on making sure the military is ready.
• Committee on Education and the Workforce
  • This committee works on laws about schools, jobs, and training.
    • Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training: Focused on colleges and job skills.
    • Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions: Focused on health, jobs, and retirement plans.

What are Caucus Memberships?

Caucuses are groups of lawmakers who share common interests or goals. They work together on specific issues.

• Congressional Cement Caucus
• Congressional Progressive Caucus
• Congressional Arts Caucus
• Afterschool Caucuses

Political Elections and Campaigns

Dave Loebsack ran in several elections to become a U.S. Representative. Here's how some of his campaigns went.

The 2006 Election

In 2006, Dave Loebsack won a big surprise victory. He defeated Jim Leach, a Republican who had been in office for 15 terms. The area he represented, Iowa's 2nd District, was starting to lean more Democratic. Mr. Loebsack won by getting many votes in Johnson County.

The 2008 Election

Mr. Loebsack was easily reelected in 2008. He won with 57 percent of the votes. His opponent was Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a doctor.

The 2010 Election

In 2010, Dave Loebsack faced Mariannette Miller-Meeks again. This election was much closer than the last one. He won with 51% of the votes. He again received strong support from Johnson County.

The 2012 Election

After some changes to the district maps, Mr. Loebsack moved to Iowa City. This kept him in the reconfigured 2nd District. The new district was a bit less Democratic than before. He won this election with 55.4% of the votes.

The 2014 Election

Mr. Loebsack won against Mariannette Miller-Meeks for a third time in 2014. He received 52.5% of the votes. After this election, he was the only Democratic House member from Iowa.

The 2016 Election

In 2016, Dave Loebsack won against Christopher Peters, a surgeon. He won with 54% of the votes. Even though the state of Iowa voted for a Republican president, Mr. Loebsack was able to keep his seat as a Democrat.

The 2018 Election

Mr. Loebsack ran against Christopher Peters again in 2018. He won comfortably with 54.8% of the votes. In this election, other Democratic lawmakers from Iowa also won seats. This meant Mr. Loebsack was no longer the only Democrat representing Iowa in Congress.

His Time in Office

Views on Taxation

In November 2017, Mr. Loebsack voted against a new tax law. He said the "tax plan... will hurt everyday Iowans." He was the only House member from Iowa to vote this way.

Views on Immigration

In September 2017, Dave Loebsack spoke about his support for "Dreamers." These are young people who were brought to the U.S. as children. He said, "We've got to do everything we can to protect them."

The 2020 Presidential Election

Dave Loebsack speaking at a rally for Pete Buttigieg in January 2020.

Before the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses, Mr. Loebsack supported Pete Buttigieg for president. Caucuses are meetings where people discuss and choose their preferred candidate. After Mr. Buttigieg stopped running, Mr. Loebsack then supported Joe Biden. Mr. Biden later became the Democratic nominee for president.

Images for kids

• 

  Map showing the results of the 2016 election in Iowa's second congressional district by county.