Introduction
Jeff Danielson (born August 6, 1970) is a Democrat Iowa State Senator serving Iowa Senate District 30 (previously Iowa Senate District 10 prior to redistricting).
Danielson currently serves on following committees: Appropriations (Vice Chair), Economic Growth, State Government (Chair), Transportation, Veterans Affairs (Vice Chair), and the Administration and Regulation Appropriations Subcommittee (Vice Chair). Permanent statutory committees he serves on include: Public Retirement Systems and State Government Efficiency Review. Danielson additionally serves on the Iowa Capital Investment Board.
His prior public service experience includes experience as the Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Waterloo Planning, Programming, and Zoning Commission. He is a U.S. Navy veteran and serves the community of Cedar Falls as a professional firefighter. [1]
Early life and education
Danielson grew up in Cedar Falls and Waterloo and entered the United States Navy after graduation from High School, serving from 1988 to 1994. After being honorably discharged, Danielson moved back to Cedar Falls and became a firefighter. Danielson went on to receive his A.A. in General Studies from Hawkeye Community College, B.A. in Public Administration, and Masters of Public Policy from the University of Northern Iowa. [1]
Iowa Senate
Danielson was first elected in 2004 with 16,712 votes (54%), defeating Republican opponent Frank Dowie. [1] He was re-elected in 2008 with 16,103 votes, [2]. He defeated his opponent, Republican Walt Rogers, by only 22 votes, following administrative recounts in two precincts and a district-wide recount. [3]
Due to redistricting, most of Iowa Senate District 10 became District 30 in the 2012 election and became effective on January 13, 2013.
More recently Danielson has been exploring the legalization of online poker in the state of Iowa. The most recent legislation signed by Governor Terry Branstad explores the online gaming by instructing Iowa's Racing and Gaming Commission to submit a report on the issue. [4]
As Vice-Chair of the Veterans Affairs committee and a veteran of the United States Navy, Danielson is a consistent advocate for pro-veteran legislation. [5]
Danielson previously served as President Pro Tempore of the Iowa Senate from 2006-2012.