Sen. Warnstadt: Endorses Mullin in first Senate district
March 10, 2010 -- "I believe that Rick Mullin's record of community involvement and strong work ethic will make him an effective advocate for the people of Sioux City,” said State Senator Steve Warnstadt today, endorsing Rick Mullin’s candidacy for the Iowa Senate from Senate District 1. “Rick's experience as a small business owner will help efforts to attract and retain good-paying jobs to Sioux City. Rick Mullin will make a great state senator."
Senator Steve Warnstadt of Sioux City announced earlier this week that he will retire from the Iowa Legislature this year after serving Sioux City for sixteen years at the State Capitol. Senator Warnstadt is currently serving his 2nd term in the Iowa Senate. Prior to being elected to the Senate in 2002, Warnstadt served four terms in the Iowa House of Representatives.
Rick Mullin to run for Iowa Senate
Rick Mullin, a small business owner from Sioux City announced today his candidacy for the Iowa State Senate. Mullin will run as a Democrat from Senate District 1, which covers metro Sioux City.
"As a small business owner, I've created jobs and met a payroll," said Mullin. "And helping middle class Iowans and small business owners in Sioux City emerge from this national economic recession will be my top priority."
Mullin is the owner and president of Mullin Awning & Siding, a family-owned business that has operated in the Sioux City area for more than 115 years.
" I've been involved in the Sioux City community for all of my life," said Mullin. "And I want to take the values I learned growing up in Sioux City with me to the State Capitol where I'll work every day to improve the lives of the people of Senate District 1. I will fight for good jobs, great schools, developing our local economy and providing accountability for the hard-earned tax dollars of Iowans in Sioux City."
Mullin is a leader in the Sioux City community. He served as president of the Better Business Bureau of Siouxland from 1981-1984; he was past president of the Sioux City Convention Center, Auditorium & Tourism Bureau. Mullin was President of the Crime Stoppers Board of Directors from 2005-2007 and also served as vice president of the Taxpayers Research Council (TRC), during which time he founded the TRC Jail Committee to determine the necessity for building a new $50 million County Jail. Rick hosted informal meetings with judges, prosecutors, jailers and others and found creative solutions to avoid spending $50 million of taxpayer dollars.
"I think bringing people together and listening is the best way to find a solution to the problems that we face today," said Mullin. "I'm proud of the work we did on the jail committee to figure out how to save $50 million for the taxpayers in Woodbury County. Listening to all sides of the issues and coming up with workable, cost-effective solutions will be how I represent the people of Senate District 1."
Rick and his wife Sue have two children, Megan and John. Sue is a special education teacher at Crescent Park Elementary in Sioux City.
"I'm going to be meeting as many people as I can in Senate District 1 over the next several months. If you've got an idea about how to move Sioux City forward, then I want to hear from you."
Mullin’s campaign co-chairs are prominent Sioux City attorney Marv Heidman and Senator Steve Warnstadt.
Mullin said that people can contact him at home, at (712) 574-9325 or email him at rick@mullinforiowa.com. To find out more about his campaign, visit www.mullinforiowa.com.
Nov. 27, 2009, Sioux City, IA -- On November 27 I filed a Statement of Organization for the Mullin for Iowa House committee with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board. I expect to make a formal announcement of my campaign in the next few months. I thank Wes Whitead for his years of service to our district and thank him for his blessing of my candidacy. For decades, even before his legislative service, Wes has provided a voice for people who needed it the most. His work improved their lives and our community. Wes is a true public servant, and I am honored by his support.
