Sami Scheetz Explained

Sami Scheetz
State House1:Iowa
District1:78th
Term Start1:January 9, 2023
Predecessor1:Jarad Klein (redistricting)
Constituency1:District 78 - (2023–present)
Birth Place:Cedar Rapids, Iowa, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Education:Georgetown University
Occupation:Small business owner

Sami Scheetz (born 1996) is an American politician and small business owner who has represented the 78th district of the Iowa House of Representatives since January 2023, which consists of parts of southeastern Cedar Rapids in Linn County. He is the first Arab American to serve in the Iowa General Assembly. He is a member of the Democratic Party.[1] [2]

Early life and education

Scheetz was born in 1996 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he was raised. He graduated from Washington High School and received a bachelor's degree in government and history from Georgetown University.[1] While attending college he worked for the United States Department of State in Dubai.[3]

Political career

Scheetz announced his candidacy for the 39th district of the Iowa Senate in June 2021. He withdrew weeks later upon Liz Bennett's entrance into the race and instead ran for the 78th district of the Iowa House of Representatives.[4] He won the Democratic primaries unopposed on June 7, 2022, and defeated Republican Anne Fairchild in the general election on November 8 by over 3,700 votes, becoming the first Arab American to serve in the Iowa Legislature.[5]

In 2024, Scheetz filed to run for reelection.[6] He won the Democratic primaries unopposed on June 4, 2024, and will run unopposed in the general election on November 5, 2024.[5]

Scheetz currently serves on the Appropriations, Judiciary, and Public Safety committees.[7]

Scheetz has said that his priorities include education, healthcare, and workers' rights. He supports making community college free and legalizing marijuana. He does not support the use of eminent domain for the construction of CO2 pipelines. He is pro-choice.[2] [8]

Scheetz previously worked with the Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign, Fred Hubbell's 2018 campaign for governor, and Michael Franken's 2022 campaign for US senator.[3] [8]

Personal life

Scheetz resides in Cedar Rapids. He is a small business owner and community organizer.[1] His mother, a teacher, immigrated to the United States from Damascus, Syria.[9] His father is a lawyer.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: State Representative - All Years . Iowa Legislature . May 26, 2024.
  2. Web site: Rep. Sami Scheetz sworn in to Iowa House, first Arab American to serve in Iowa Legislature . KGAN . May 26, 2024 . en . 10 January 2023.
  3. Web site: Howell . Michael . Sami Scheetz becomes second candidate to announce a bid for Senate District 33 . KGAN . May 26, 2024 . en . 17 June 2021.
  4. Web site: Lynch . James Q. . Liz Bennett enters primary race in C.R. Senate 33, Sami Scheetz pivots to seeking House seat . The Gazette . May 26, 2024.
  5. Web site: Sami Scheetz . Ballotpedia . May 26, 2024 . en.
  6. Web site: primarycandidatelist.pdf . Iowa Secretary of State . May 26, 2024.
  7. Web site: State Representative . Iowa Legislature . May 26, 2024.
  8. Web site: Q&A with House 78 candidate Sami Scheetz . The Gazette . May 26, 2024.
  9. Web site: Iowa set to get its first-ever Arab American state representative . Arab News . May 26, 2024 . en . 28 March 2022.
  10. Web site: Barton . Tom . Sami Scheetz is poised to make history . The Gazette . May 26, 2024.