Originally from the Quad Cities, Liz Bennett is a State Representative from Cedar Rapids.

Her family is rich with a tradition of community service, from her grandmother serving as a long-time volunteer with the Visiting Nurses Association.

Her paternal grandmother lobbied and became one of the first female members of the local optimists’ club.

Her father, Steve, is a retired State Trooper, Vietnam Veteran and volunteer firefighter, Fleet Commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxillary, and a Boy Scout leader.

Cathy, her mother, worked as a court reporter until her children were born, and then became a full-time, stay-at-home mother also volunteering in community activities.

Since then, she has continued her family tradition of community service, volunteering with AniMeals and the German Shepherd Dog Rescue or Iowa.

Liz has a great passion for Democratic values and social justice issues. She volunteered for the Obama campaign in 2007, making countless hours of phone calls and recruiting friends for caucus activities.

Her fellow Democrats showed their trust and faith in Liz by electing Liz as a Delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. When Tyler Olson decided not to seek reelection, many local Democrats urged Liz to run.

Liz currently serves in the Iowa House on the Environmental Protection, Natural Resources, Economic Growth and Economic Growth Budget committees. As a member of these committees, Liz understands the urgency of action on climate change, and also the economic opportunities that expanded focus on sustainable energy production will bring to Iowa. As a younger representative herself, Liz is excited to see young people rising to advocate for a sustainable future.

Liz’s Accomplishments:

2009 – Elected to Linn County Democratic Central Committee
2010 – Chaired Precinct Caucus
2010 – Chaired Float Building for Linn County Democrats
2011 – Chaired Float Building Freedom Fest Parade
Volunteer and Regional Organizer for One Iowa
Knocked on doors for Rep. Kirsten Running-Marquardt, Rep. Art Staed, and Sen. Liz Mathis.

Education

Liz graduated with a double major in Politics and Women’s Studies from Cornell College.