DEVOS’S TRIAL IS NOW POSTPONED. A LONGTIME DES MOINES LAWMAKER IS ANNOUNCING HER RETIREMENT FROM THE IOWA LEGISLATURE. KCCI CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER AMANDA ROOKER JOINS US WITH A LOOK BACK AT REPRESENTATIVE RUTH ANN GAINES LEGACY AND WHAT COMES NEXT. AMANDA. WELL, BEN AND LAURA, SHE HAS SPENT 16 YEARS REPRESENTING HOUSE DISTRICT 33. THAT’S IN DES MOINES. STATE REPRESENTATIVE RUTH ANN GAINES SAYS NOW IT’S TIME TO STEP AWAY FROM THE CAPITOL. SHE SAYS HER SON IS DEALING WITH SOME SERIOUS MEDICAL ISSUES, AND SHE NEEDS SOME MORE TIME TO BE AT HOME TO TAKE CARE OF HIM. GAINES WAS FIRST ELECTED IN 2010. THAT FOLLOWED A 40 YEAR CAREER AS A DRAMA TEACHER AT EAST HIGH SCHOOL AT THE IOWA STATE HOUSE. SHE BECAME A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE IOWA LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS AND A LEADING VOICE ON EDUCATION, DISABILITY RIGHTS, AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE. IN OUR INTERVIEW, GAINES SAYS SHE’S PROUD OF HER WORK, FINDING COMMON GROUND, AMPLIFYING UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES, AND MENTORING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS. WHEN THAT GAVEL COMES DOWN FOR THE LAST TIME, WHAT DO YOU HOPE IOWANS REMEMBER MOST ABOUT RUTH ANN GAINES? I THINK I WANT THEM TO REMEMBER THAT SHE TRIED. SHE TRIED HER BEST TO GET PEOPLE TO GET ALONG WITH PEOPLE, TO LISTEN TO PEOPLE, TO WORK WITH PEOPLE, AND TO REALIZE THAT WE’RE ALL IN THIS BATTLE TOGETHER. AND FIGHTING GETS US NOWHERE. NOW, GAINES ISN’T DONE QUITE YET. SHE’LL SERVE OUT THE REMAINDER OF HER TERM, MEANING SHE HAS ONE MORE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEFORE SHE RETIRES. SHE SAYS SHE WANTS TO USE THAT
Longtime state representative from Des Moines will not seek reelection
State Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines, who was first elected in 2010, will retire when her term ends in 2026.
State Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines will not seek reelection after her current term ends in 2026. The Des Moines Democrat has represented House District 33 since 2010. Before entering politics, Gaines taught drama for 40 years at East High School. “It’s been an honor, privilege, and blessing to serve Des Moines and the constituents of House District 33,” Gaines said in a statement. “My constituents will remain close to my heart as time marches on.”In the Legislature, Gaines was a founding member of the Iowa Legislative Black Caucus. She focused on education, diversity and disability rights. “I want to say thank you to all who believed in me as I served the district that I love,” she said, adding that she looks forward to spending more time with her son, Brandon, while remaining active in the community. “There is still important work to be done, and I remain committed to serving the people of House District 33 until the end of my term.”Gaines has been honored with several awards, including the Herbert Hoover Uncommon Public Service Award, the 1998 Iowa Teacher of the Year award and an induction into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 2003. » Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
State Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines will not seek reelection after her current term ends in 2026. The Des Moines Democrat has represented House District 33 since 2010. Before entering politics, Gaines taught drama for 40 years at East High School.
“It’s been an honor, privilege, and blessing to serve Des Moines and the constituents of House District 33,” Gaines said in a statement. “My constituents will remain close to my heart as time marches on.”
In the Legislature, Gaines was a founding member of the Iowa Legislative Black Caucus. She focused on education, diversity and disability rights.
“I want to say thank you to all who believed in me as I served the district that I love,” she said, adding that she looks forward to spending more time with her son, Brandon, while remaining active in the community. “There is still important work to be done, and I remain committed to serving the people of House District 33 until the end of my term.”
Gaines has been honored with several awards, including the Herbert Hoover Uncommon Public Service Award, the 1998 Iowa Teacher of the Year award and an induction into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 2003.
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