James Riordan (Iowa politician)

(Redirected from James R. Riordan)

James Richard Riordan II (December 31, 1949 – August 14, 2022) was an American politician.

James Riordan
Member of the Iowa Senate
from the 39th district
In office
January 11, 1993 – January 8, 1995
Preceded byWilliam D. Palmer
Succeeded byJo Ann Douglas
Member of the Iowa Senate
from the 45th district
In office
September 10, 1985 – January 10, 1993
Preceded byNorman Rodgers
Succeeded byBill Fink
Personal details
Born
James Richard Riordan II

(1949-12-31)December 31, 1949
Near Boone, Iowa, U.S.
DiedAugust 14, 2022(2022-08-14) (aged 72)
Political partyDemocratic

Personal life

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Born in December 1949, James Richard Riordan II was the eldest of five children born to parents James Richard Riordan I and his wife Therese. The family lived on a farm near Boone, Iowa, and Riordan II graduated from the city's Ryan High School in 1968. Shortly after earning his bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in 1975, Riordan married Rhoda Quade, with whom he raised three children. The couple separated in 2015. Riordan owned the Ashworth Acres tree nursery near Waukee, and later worked as a researcher and writer of grants and contracts for Des Moines Area Community College.

Riordan died on August 14, 2022, of aspiration pneumonia and COVID-19.[1][2]

Political career

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Politically, Riordan was affiliated with the Democratic Party. He worked as an administrative assistant for Robert T. Anderson, an aide to Tom Harkin, and was staff director of the United States Senate Democratic Caucus before winning a seat on the Iowa Senate in 1985. Riordan held the District 45 seat from September 10, 1985, to January 10, 1993, and subsequently represented District 39 until January 8, 1995.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Senator James R. Riordan". Iowa General Assembly. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  2. ^ "James Richard "Jim" Riordan II". Des Moines Register. August 16, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2023.