'It has been an honor': Davenport state Rep. Monica Kurth reflects on not running for reelection

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The Texas House has approved redrawn congressional maps that would give Republicans a bigger edge in midterm elections in 2026. The gerrymandering plan launched weeks of protests by state Democrats and a widening national battle over redistricting.

After a decade in the Iowa Legislature, state Rep. Monica Kurth said "it's been fascinating work" but she plans to retire at the end of this term.

Kurth, a Democrat from Davenport, announced her retirement on Monday.

Kurth, 75, represents District 98, which spans from southwestern Davenport to Buffalo. She is in her fifth two-year term in the Iowa House and told the Quad-City Times that a delayed retirement and wanting to devote more time to her family, including her grandchildren, were the main reasons behind her decision to not run again.

"By the time of the next election, I will have been in the legislature for 10 years, and I ran for office after retiring from my teaching job at Scott Community College," Kurth said. "I haven't regretted a bit of it, because it's been fascinating work."

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Before being elected to the Iowa Legislature in 2016, Kurth taught at Scott Community College. She has also spent time working as a counselor and social worker.

A day after Kurth's announcement, Democrat Andrew Fitzgerald of Davenport and Republican Nathan Ramker of Blue Grass launched campaigns for the seat.

While it's Fitzgerald's first time running for elected office, Ramker challenged Kurth in 2024 and narrowly lost.

Kurth said she feels like it's "time to reach out to another generation" to represent District 98 in the legislature and is backing Fitzgerald as he continues to grow his campaign.

As a member of the minority party in the Republican-controlled chamber, Kurth noted that she has faced frustration from not seeing her legislation advance. That includes House File 2032, which would have allowed schools to use district management levy funds for cybersecurity protections and equipment.

"Certain little bills like that, that could have been helpful were stopped," Kurth said. "There's a frustration in that. But yet, you keep talking about it, you keep telling people about it. You meet with your constituents or other groups and let them know what's going on, and eventually it'll make a difference."

During her time in the legislature, Kurth said she's most proud of advocating for legislation focused on education and improving water quality.

Ahead of Kurth's last year at the Iowa Capitol, she plans to continue focusing on water quality and pushing House File 151, a bill she introduced last session that would require wastewater be tested before it gets into streams and waterways.

"It has been an honor to work on (constituents') behalf," Kurth said. "The betterment of life for my constituents and for the state of Iowa has always been on my mind, and I hope that at the end of my next year, when I retire, that I can can honestly say that the work I put in has meant a lot to me and hopefully to my constituents as well."

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Statehouse Reporter

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