Mary Madison Explained

Mary Madison
State House1:Iowa
District1:31st
Term Start1:January 9, 2023
Predecessor1:Rick Olson (redistricting)
Constituency1:District 31 - (2023–present)
Birth Place:South Carolina, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Spouse:L. Keith
Children:3
Education:Saint Peter's University
Seton Hall University (M.Ed)
Tarleton State University (MA)
Interdenominational Theological Center (MDiv)
Occupation:Educator, minister, social worker

Mary Lee Madison (born 1950) is an American politician, minister and educator who has represented the 31st district in the Iowa House of Representatives since January 2023, which consists of parts of southwest Polk County and a very small part of southeast Dallas County, including most of West Des Moines. She is a member of the Democratic Party.[1]

Early life

Madison was born in 1950 in South Carolina and was raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. She received a bachelor's degree from Saint Peter's University, a Master of Education from Seton Hall University, a Master of Arts from Tarleton State University, and a Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center.[1]

Political career

Following decennial redistricting in 2021, Madison announced her intent to run for the open 31st district seat in the Iowa House of Representatives in early 2022. She won the Democratic primary on June 7, 2022, against Michael Andreski, a professor, with over 62 percent of the vote, and went on to win the general election on November 8 against Republican Justin Pearson with over 56 percent of the vote.[2]

Madison is a member of the Economic Growth and Technology, Education, Health and Human Services, and Transportation committees.[3]

In 2024 Madison filed to run for reelection.[4] She won the Democratic primaries unopposed on June 4, 2024, and will run in the general election unopposed on November 5, 2024.[2]

Madison has said that her priorities include public education, mental health and reproductive rights. She is pro-choice and supports stricter gun control.[5]

Personal life

Madison is a licensed school counselor, social worker and ordained minister. She is married to L. Keith Madison, a radiologist, with whom she has three adult children and one grandchild. She has resided in West Des Moines for over twenty years. She is a member of the St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Alpha Kappa Alpha, NAACP, Des Moines Women's Club, The Links, Interfaith Allegiance of Iowa, Questers and Women's Missionary Society.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: State Representative . Iowa Legislature . March 24, 2024.
  2. Web site: Mary Madison . Ballotpedia . March 24, 2024 . en.
  3. Web site: Mary Madison - State Representative . Iowa Legislature . March 24, 2024.
  4. Web site: primarycandidatelist.pdf . Iowa Secretary of State . March 24, 2024.
  5. Web site: Where the candidates for West Des Moines' District 31 House race stand on the issues . The Des Moines Register . March 24, 2024.