Rocky De Witt
Rocky De Witt | |
|---|---|
 De Witt, c. 2023 | |
| Member of the Iowa Senate from the 1st district | |
| In office January 9, 2023 – June 25, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Dave Rowley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 12, 1959 Sioux City, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | June 25, 2025 (aged 66) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence(s) | Lawton, Iowa, U.S. |
Rocky De Witt (April 12, 1959 – June 25, 2025) was an American politician who served in the 1st district of the Iowa Senate.
Background
[edit]De Witt was born in Sioux City, Iowa on April 12, 1959,[1] and was a resident of Lawton, with his wife Vicki.[2][3] He had previously been married to Julie Katseres, with whom he raised three sons.[4] De Witt worked for the MidAmerican Energy Company for 22 years.[5] After leaving MidAmerican Energy, De Witt provided security for the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office.[6]
De Witt died from pancreatic cancer on June 25, 2025, at the age of 66.[1][7]
Political career
[edit]De Witt was first elected to the District 5 seat on the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors in November 2016,[8] and reelected in 2020.[9] He served as board chairman in 2018 and 2021.[2][10] In December 2021, De Witt began his campaign for the District 1 seat of the Iowa Senate.[11][12] De Witt defeated incumbent Democratic legislator Jackie Smith, who was redistricted to District 1.[13][14][15] After his death in office, a special election for De Witt's senate seat was scheduled for August 26, 2025.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Dockter, Mason (June 25, 2025). "State Sen. Rocky De Witt dies at 66". The Gazette. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ a b Hayworth, Bret (29 January 2018). "Vowing to make positive changes from inside look, De Witt leads Woodbury County in 2018". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ McNett, Jared (12 October 2022). "Two GOP candidates in Northwest Iowa state legislature races opted out of Sioux City League of Women Voters candidate event". Sioux City Journal/DeWitt Observer. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ "Justin Lee DeWitt". Iowa City Press-Citizen. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ Yamada, Caitlin (27 October 2022). "Jackie Smith, Rocky De Witt vie for Iowa Senate District 1 seat as attack ads fly". Sioux City Journal/Bellevue Herald-Leader. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ Gottburg, Woody (9 December 2021). "DE WITT ANNOUNCES RUN FOR STATE SENATE IN IOWA". KSCJ. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ "Iowa Sen. Rocky De Witt dies of pancreatic cancer at age 66". Des Moines Register. June 25, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ Hayworth, Bret (3 January 2017). "PROFILE: Rocky De Witt cruising into Woodbury County seat". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ Peikes, Katie (1 January 2021). "Woodbury County Board Of Supervisors Entirely Republican For The First Time In 40 Years". Iowa Public Radio. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ "De Witt selected as the new chairman of the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors". KMEG. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ "Rocky De Witt announces campaign for Iowa Senate". KMEG. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ Dockter, Mason (11 December 2021). "Rocky De Witt announces a run for Jackie Smith's Iowa Senate seat". Sioux City Journal/The Daily Nonpareil. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ Thorne, Wesley (8 November 2022). "Rocky DeWitt wins race for Iowa State Senator of District 1". KCAU-TV. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ Yamada, Caitlin (9 November 2022). "Republicans prepared to represent Woodbury County in state legislature seats". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ Yamada, Caitlin (9 November 2022). "Republicans oust Democrats for Woodbury County state legislative seats". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ "Reynolds sets Aug. 26 special election to fill Iowa Senate seat of late Sen. Rocky DeWitt". Des Moines Register. Retrieved July 2, 2025.