WAUKEE, IOWA – Travis R. Grassel, CPCU, of Waukee, Iowa announced March 16th that he will run for the Iowa House of Representatives, District 44. District 44 covers the communities of Clive (western part only), Waukee, Urbandale, and West Des Moines (western part only). Townships in the district are Boone, Van Meter, and Walnut. Grassel competes for the seat vacated by Republican Rob Taylor. He will be opposed by Republican Anna Bergman and Democrat Kenan Judge.
Grassel is the father of two boys, Andrew (14) and Matthew (11). They attend 8th and 5th grades in the Waukee Community School District. Grassel works as a personal lines pricing actuary for EMC Insurance and has been with them since 2000. Recently, he achieved the distinguished insurance professional designation of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from South Dakota State University with a degree in Mathematics and minoring in economics. He has lived in the district for nearly 20 years since moving to God’s country in 1999. Previous employment included Assistant Manager for Hy-Vee as well as working in the agricultural industry as a hired hand during high school and college. Grassel also has served as volunteer coach for the YMCA boys basketball. His girlfriend, Cydney Koehn, runs a catering business. Family law reform is important to all of them.
Grassel says, “I have spent several years volunteering my time up at the Capitol getting to know many of the legislators in my role as lead lobbyist and co-founder for Families United Action Network. The time is right to jump in to the challenging area of politics, serve others, and get something done without handing out false promises year after year.”
Grassel favors smaller, smarter government through operational efficiencies, including the use of cutting edge technologies. Education has a special place in his heart as his sister and father are educators. He will give special attention to our Veterans having family and friends that have served with valor. He says, “Freedom is never free and our soldiers too often pay the ultimate price for the land we love. As our state motto says, ‘Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.’” His goal as Legislator would be to keep Iowa growing and put it back on top.
