Michael Gronstal

Michael E. Gronstal
Member of the Iowa Senate from the 50th district 42nd (1993–2003)
Incumbent
Assumed office January 8, 1985
Preceded by	Tom Slater
Personal details
Born	January 29, 1950 (1950-01-29) (age 61) Council Bluffs, Iowa [1]
Political party	Democrat
Spouse(s)	Connie Meisenbach
Children	Kate, Sarah
Residence	Council Bluffs, Iowa
Alma mater	BA Antioch College attended Loyola University
Website	Gronstal's website

Michael E. Gronstal (born January 29, 1950) is the Iowa State Senator representing the 50th District in the Iowa Senate. He has served since 1985 and is currently the majority leader and chairman of the Rules and Administration committee. He is also chairman of the DLCC, the national organization to elect Democratic state legislators.

Gronstal has supported efforts to increase renewable fuels in Iowa and in 2006, Iowa passed the nation’s strongest ethanol legislation in 2006. In addition, he is working to bring more biotechnology jobs and businesses to Iowa. Senator Gronstal has supported legislation to increase funding for community colleges and school districts. After the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in favor of gay marriage in the Varnum v. Brien decision in April 2009, Gronstal blocked a Republican attempt to overturn the Court's decision with a constitutional amendment. He released a YouTube video in which he declared that opponents of same-sex marriage in Iowa had already lost because the younger generation does not care about the issue.^[2]

Gronstal was re-elected in 2004 with 12,480 votes (54%), defeating Republican opponent Loren Knauss.^[3] He won re-election again in 2008 with 58% of the votes.^[4]

Gronstal received his B.A. from Antioch College. Prior to serving in the Senate, he served one term in the Iowa House of Representatives. He also served as the chair of the Pottawattamie County Democratic Party from 1986 to 1988. Senator Gronstal and his wife, Connie, have two daughters: Kate, who is a civil engineer at Schemmer Associates in Council Bluffs; and Sara, who is currently a lecturer at Eastern Illinois University.

References

1. ^ "Project Vote Smart". Senator Michael Gronstal. http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=6430. Retrieved 2010-12-08. 
2. ^ Iowa Senate Debate: Gronstal blocks amendment to reverse Iowa marriage equality, Hannah Garden-Monheit, Iowa Senate News, April 6, 2009
3. ^ 2004 General Election Results Iowa Secretary of State
4. ^ Iowa Secretary of State. "November 4, 2008 General Election Results". http://www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/results/2008GeneralResults.html. 

External links

• Senator Michael E. Gronstal official Iowa Legislature site
• Senator Michael E. Gronstal official Iowa General Assembly site
• State Senator Mike Gronstal official constituency site
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Campaign contributions at the National Institute for Money in State Politics

Iowa Senate
Preceded by Tom Slater	50th District 1985 – 1993	Succeeded by Gene Fraise
Preceded by Elaine Szymoniak	42nd District 1993 – 2003	Succeeded by Bryan Sievers
Preceded by Gene Fraise	50th District 2003 – present	Succeeded by Incumbent

Persondata
Name	Gronstal, Michael
Alternative names
Short description	American politician
Date of birth	January 29, 1950
Place of birth	Council Bluffs, Iowa
Date of death
Place of death