Longtime public school professional and community advocate Ed Chabal announced his campaign for State Senate in Senate District 46, representing Iowa, Washington and rural Johnson counties. Senator Dawn Driscoll currently represents Senate District 46.

“As a public education professional with more than 25 years of experience, I have seen firsthand the strength of Iowa’s public schools. If we do not restore support for the public school system that historically has been one of Iowa’s great assets, we risk not only short-changing our students, we risk losing talented young teachers we need coming into our schools,” Chabal said in an email statement.

“I am running for the Iowa Senate to give every Iowan the opportunity to send their children to the best public schools possible while ensuring that all of our residents have better quality lives,” he said. “This means affordable, quality childcare, access to first-rate healthcare in rural Iowa, which includes freedom for women’s reproductive health care, clean water and enhanced recreation opportunities for all generations to enjoy.”

Chabal kicked off his campaign at Café Dodici in Washington on Jan. 28 where a crowd of supporters turned out.

Chabal is a public school finance director, community volunteer and native Iowan. A recent past president of the Association of School Business Officials International, he believes that we need to invest to ensure Iowa is once again first in the nation in education and economic opportunities in Iowa’s rural areas as well as its towns and cities. He lives in Washington with his wife, with whom he co-owns a small business downtown. He volunteers for the city’s local film festival and is a former high school soccer coach; he has served on the Henry County Extension Council and as his church treasurer.

“Rural communities have experienced challenges delivering economic opportunities for people. As a young college graduate in ag economics during the farm crisis, I know what it is like to have to pivot in a career path. As Senator, I will work for Iowans, focusing on the ‘three E’s’ – education, economy and equal rights to bring opportunity to the district,” he said.

To learn more about Ed Chabal’s campaign for State Senate, visit his campaign’s Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/EdforIowa.