A Republican lawmaker from Iowa has died of a heart attack, leaving the state's Republicans in shock.
72-year-old Martin Graber entered politics later in life, winning election to the state House in 2020. His sudden death on Friday morning cut short his third term in the legislature.
A resident of Fort Madison, a city hugging the Mississippi, Graber represented most of Lee County in Iowa's southeastern corner, including Fort Madison, Keokuk, and Donnellson.
Speaker Pat Grassley (R-New Hartford), the grandson of Senator Chuck Grassley (R), led the House in prayer Monday as lawmakers returned to the Iowa Capitol.
"If there’s one thing that I think we can all say about Rep. Graber — and this doesn’t happen too often in this business — is there’s not a lot of people, if anyone, that’s ever had a bad thing to say about Martin Graber," Speaker Grassley said. "And so he’s going to be deeply missed from this body. Please think about Coni and his family in the upcoming days."
The Iowa House was not in session Tuesday to allow lawmakers to attend Graber's funeral.
In 2020, Graber made his first run for public office, unseating Democratic incumbent Jeff Kurtz.
"The time is right. I’m a conservative conservative, meaning I’m conservative on fiscal issues, on social issues, just about everything,” Graber said at the time. “And, I’m a firm believer that if there is something you don’t like, you need to step up and try to change it.”
Before entering the state House, Graber was the chair of Lee County Republicans. He worked as a financial adviser for Ameriprise Financial in Fort Madison.
Beyond politics, Graber was a decorated veteran. The retired brigadier general served in the Iowa National Guard for 32 years, earning numerous honors and distinctions for his service, including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, and the prestigious Bronze and Silver Order of the de Fleury Medals from the Corps of Engineers Regiment.
Graber is survived by his wife, Coni, two daughters, two grandchildren, and six siblings.
Iowa governor Kim Reynolds (R) must call a special election to fill Graber's seat in Iowa's House District 100.
The election must be held "at the earliest practical time, giving at least 18 days' notice of the special election," the law states.
