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Barb Kniff McCulla

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Barb Kniff McCulla
Member of the Iowa House of Representatives
from the 37th district
Assumed office
January 9, 2023
Preceded byJon Thorup
Personal details
Born1956 (age 67–68)
Michigan, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseGreg
Children4
EducationWilliam Penn University (BA)
OccupationSmall business owner

Barbara Kniff McCulla[a] (born 1956) is an American politician and entrepreneur who has represented the 37th district in the Iowa House of Representatives since January 2023, which consists of most of Marion County, parts of southern Jasper County and parts of western Mahaska County. She is a member of the Republican Party.[1]

Early life

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Kniff McCulla was born in 1956 in Michigan, where she was raised. She received a bachelor's degree from William Penn University.[1]

Political career

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Kniff McCulla announced her candidacy for the 37th district of the Iowa House of Representatives following decennial redistricting in 2021. Endorsed by Governor Kim Reynolds,[2] she defeated incumbent Jon Thorup[b] in the Republican primaries on June 7, 2022, with over 70 percent of the vote. She defeated Democrat Mike Overman in the general election on November 8 with over 74 percent of the vote. She assumed office on January 9, 2023.[3]

Kniff McCulla serves on the Commerce, Economic Growth and Technology, Health and Human Services, Labor and Workforce, and Ways and Means committees, the lattermost of which she is the vice chair.[4]

In March 2024, Kniff McCulla announced that she is running for reelection.[5] She won the Republican primaries unopposed on June 4, 2024, and will run in the general election unopposed on November 5, 2024.[3]

Kniff McCulla has said that her priorities include economic growth and small business. She supports school choice and opposes abortion.[6]

Personal life

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Kniff McCulla has a husband, Greg, four children, and 12 grandchildren. She resides in Pella, Iowa. She is a former Sunday school teacher and owns a construction company.[1]

Electoral history

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* = incumbent

Election Political result Candidate Party Votes %
Iowa House of Representatives Republican primary elections, 2022 [3]
District 37
Turnout: 3,868
Republican (newly redistricted) Barb Kniff McCullaRepublican2,71570.2
Jon Thorup* Republican1,15029.7
Other/Write-in votes 30.1
Iowa House of Representatives general elections, 2022 [3]
District 37
Turnout: 14,196
Republican (newly redistricted) Barb Kniff McCullaRepublican10,59374.6
Mike Overman Democratic3,59125.3
Other/Write-in votes 120.1

Notes

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  1. ^ The surname is Kniff McCulla
  2. ^ Thorup was redistricted into the 37th district during his term in 2021; he had previously been representing district 28

References

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  1. ^ a b c "State Representative". Iowa Legislature. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  2. ^ Gruber-Miller, Stephen. "In unusual move, Gov. Kim Reynolds endorses an Iowa Republican lawmaker's primary opponent". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "Barb Kniff McCulla". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  4. ^ "Barb Kniff McCulla - State Representative". Iowa Legislature. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  5. ^ "Iowa House Reps. Kniff McCulla and Dunwell submit re-election papers". Newton Daily News. March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  6. ^ Braunschweig, Christopher (October 27, 2022). "Iowa House District 37 Candidates Q&A - Barb Kniff McCulla". Newton Daily News. Retrieved March 24, 2024.