I think it's important for the whole country that Iowa keep its first in the nation, we Iowans, I mean, really uniquely have set very high expectations for every candidate. We Iowans's a state with a size and a geography that you can do great retail politics. So everybody expects that they're going to have an opportunity to actually look their candidate in the eye, shake their hand, ask them a question.

Linda Upmeyer

Linda L. Upmeyer (born July 23, 1952) is an American politician who served in the Iowa House of Representatives from the 54th district from 2003 to 2021 and as the Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives from 2016 to 2020. She was the first female Speaker in Iowa's history. She received her BSN from the University of Iowa and her MSN from Drake University. On August 19, 2015, Upmeyer was elected by the members of the Iowa House of Representatives Republican majority to serve as the Speaker of the House. Upmeyer's father Del Stromer served as Speaker from 1981–82. Upmeyer serves on the Administration and Rules committee in the Iowa House. She is also a member of the Legislative Council.

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