Father And Son Running For Offices In Western Iowa

Western Iowa has a new father-son political team as both Rob and Kurt Hubler are seeking elective offices on this side of the Hawkeye State.

Kurt Hubler, 40, announced today that he will run for state representative in House District 99, which covers part of Council Bluffs. He joins his father in the political arena as Rob Hubler is a Democratic challenger to U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Kiron.

"You can't doubt the fact that it's unique," Kurt Hubler told Iowa Independent this afternoon. Kurt Hubler said State Rep. Paul Shomshor, D-Council Bluffs and House Speaker Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, asked him to run. In House 99 State Rep. Doug Struyk, R-Council Bluffs, is a two-term incumbent.

“The commitment the legislature made to improve the lives of Iowans after the 2006 election must continue,” Kurt Hubler, a Democrat, said. “During that time we saw an increase in the state’s minimum wage, higher salaries for teachers, and the expansion of affordable healthcare among other things that were part of their ‘Plan for Prosperity.’ And it is those types of issues this campaign will champion in its commitment to the people of House District 99 and Iowa as a whole.”

Kurt Hubler grew up in the Council Bluffs area and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa. He has worked as a reporter in public radio for stations in Iowa, Indiana, and Texas covering stories ranging from human interest to all levels of government. He has won numerous media awards, including several from the Associated Press Association of Broadcasters.

“We must show a commitment to our labor force by standing up for worker’s rights, a commitment to our environment by advancing our research and development of renewable energies, and a commitment to our infrastructure so our roads and bridges are safe and secure,” Hubler added.

“Kurt Hubler will listen to and work hard for the people of Council Bluffs. His experience covering news at both the state and federal government has given him a good understanding of how to get things done in the Legislature,” said House Speaker Pat Murphy of Dubuque. “I look forward to serving with him next year in the Iowa House of Representatives.”

Kurt Hubler has worked as his father's campaign coordinator and plans to continue in that role.