State Senator District 17 in Iowa State Senate District 17, Iowa

2026 Primary Election

• Ronald Langston — President, Harvard Club of Iowa in IA

  Ronald Langston is a Republican candidate running for Iowa State Senate, District 17, in the June 2, 2026 primary election. He campaigns on building trust through accessibility and responsiveness, aiming for practical solutions for families and businesses. His policy priorities include lowering everyday costs, strengthening public schools, protecting healthcare access, and enhancing neighborhood safety. Langston has a background as a political strategist and executive leader, having previously served as Iowa State Transportation Commissioner and Chairman of the Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans. He was also the first African American Republican candidate for the Iowa State Senate in 1996 and 2000, and holds degrees from the University of Iowa, City University of New York, and Harvard.

• Samy El-Baroudi — Educator in Des Moines, IA

  Samy El-Baroudi is a proud Democrat, third-generation educator, and union leader committed to making Iowa a better place. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, he returned to the US at age five and has been a Des Moines resident for over 35 years. Serving Des Moines Public Schools since 1995, he will retire in June 2026. El-Baroudi advocates for strengthening public education, rebuilding the middle class by raising the minimum wage and bringing union jobs, protecting reproductive rights including IVF access, and improving health outcomes. He seeks to provide a trusted teacher's voice in the Senate, driven by the decline in education and citizen's rights.

• Grace Van Cleave — Small business owner and community activist in Des Moines, IA

  Grace Van Cleave is a Democratic candidate for Iowa State Senate District 17, currently a small business owner and community activist residing in Des Moines' Drake Neighborhood. Her campaign prioritizes protecting reproductive freedoms, expanding healthcare access, and advocating for economic and social justice. With extensive experience in Democratic politics, including roles at the Democratic National Committee, EMILYs List, and working for former Iowa Governors Tom Vilsack and Chet Culver, Van Cleave is known for her tenacity. She is a vocal proponent for women's health, aiming to increase funding and address maternal and infant mortality. She previously sought this seat in the 2022 primary election.