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
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
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]
Kniff McCulla has said that her priorities include economic growth and small business. She supports school choice and opposes abortion.[6]
Personal life
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
* = 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 McCulla | Republican | 2,715 | 70.2 | ||
| Jon Thorup* | Republican | 1,150 | 29.7 | ||||
| Other/Write-in votes | 3 | 0.1 | |||||
| Iowa House of Representatives general elections, 2022 [3] District 37 Turnout: 14,196 | Republican (newly redistricted) | Barb Kniff McCulla | Republican | 10,593 | 74.6 | ||
| Mike Overman | Democratic | 3,591 | 25.3 | ||||
| Other/Write-in votes | 12 | 0.1 | |||||
Notes
References
- ^ a b c "State Representative". Iowa Legislature. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c "Barb Kniff McCulla". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
- ^ "Barb Kniff McCulla - State Representative". Iowa Legislature. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
- ^ "Iowa House Reps. Kniff McCulla and Dunwell submit re-election papers". Newton Daily News. March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
- ^ Braunschweig, Christopher (October 27, 2022). "Iowa House District 37 Candidates Q&A - Barb Kniff McCulla". Newton Daily News. Retrieved March 24, 2024.