Mike Gronstal
| Michael Gronstal | |
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| Member of the Iowa Senate from the 8th district 42nd (1993–2003) |
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In office January 14, 1985 – January 8, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Tom Slater |
| Succeeded by | Dan Dawson |
| Member of the Iowa House of Representatives from the 99th district |
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In office January 10, 1983 – January 13, 1985 |
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| Preceded by | Emil Pavich |
| Succeeded by | Brent Siegrist |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
January 29, 1950 Council Bluffs, Iowa, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Connie Meisenbach |
| Children | Kate Sarah |
| Alma mater |
Loyola University, Chicago Antioch College |
| Website | Government website |
Michael E. Gronstal (born January 29, 1950) is the Iowa State Senator representing the 8th District in the Iowa Senate. He has served since 1985 and was the majority leader and chairman of the Rules and Administration committee. He was 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 quoted his daughter's statement that opponents of same-sex marriage in Iowa had already lost because her generation does not care about the issue. Mike Gronstal lost his bid for re-election in 2016.
Gronstal was re-elected in 2004 with 12,480 votes (54%), defeating Republican opponent Loren Knauss. He won re-election again in 2008 with 58% of the votes.
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 transportation engineer at Stantec in Chicago; and Sara, who is currently Director of Forensics at Eastern Illinois University.
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