Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, Iowa

Mike Gronstal became Chair of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) in March 2007, after serving as the DLCC's Vice-Chair since December 2006. He was instrumental in the gains state legislative Democrats made nation-wide as the DLCC’s Finance Chair in 2006.

Senator Gronstal was elected Iowa Senate Majority Leader by his fellow Democratic Senators after spearheading their efforts to capture 30 seats in the Iowa Senate in 2006. In addition to serving as Majority Leader, Senator Gronstal also serves as chair of the Rules & Administration Committee. He represents District 50 in the Iowa Senate, which includes Council Bluffs and Carter Lake.

Gronstal has been in the Senate since 1985 and was a member of the House from 1983-85. Senator Gronstal is a graduate of Council Bluffs St. Albert High School and Antioch College in Ohio. He also attended Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois.

As a legislative priority, Senator Gronstal has worked extensively on the issue of renewable fuels and making Iowa the nation's leader in this field. Under his leadership, Iowa passed the nation’s strongest ethanol legislation in 2006, and Senator Gronstal continues the effort to bring more biotechnology jobs and businesses to the state.

Senator Gronstal has also been a leader in restoring funding to Iowa's community colleges and school districts. Moving Iowa to 25th in the nation in teacher pay and making community college affordable for all Iowa families will continue as priorities. Additionally, he has been recognized by his colleagues for his dedicated work and knowledge of complex issues in the insurance and utilities business.

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 working on her masters degree at Minnesota State University at Mankato.