Nate Boulton (born May 23, 1980) is an American politician serving in the Iowa Senate since 2017. Boulton, a Democrat, represents the 20th District. Boulton was first elected in 2016 to replace retiring Democratic Senator Dick Dearden.[1][2]

Nate Boulton
Member of the Iowa Senate
Assumed office
January 9, 2017
Preceded byDick Dearden
ConstituencyDistrict 16 (2017–2023)
District 20 (2023–present)
Personal details
Born (1980-05-23) May 23, 1980 (age 44)
Columbus Junction, Iowa, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationSimpson College (BA)
Drake University (MPA, JD)
WebsiteSenate website

In May 2017, Boulton announced his candidacy for the Iowa gubernatorial election, 2018 with a video on Twitter.[3] He suspended his campaign in May 2018 shortly after The Des Moines Register published the accounts of three women accusing Boulton of sexual misconduct.[4][5]

Early life and education

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Nate grew up in Columbus Junction.

He earned his J.D. degree from Drake Law School in 2005 and was admitted to the Iowa bar that year. He also holds a Master’s of Public Administration from Drake University and a Bachelor’s in history and political science from Simpson College. He has served on the Simpson College Alumni Board and as an adjunct professor at Simpson.

Career

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Outside the legislature, Boulton is a partner with Hedberg & Boulton, where he practices in workers compensation, personal injury and labor law. He has served as vice-president of the Iowa Association for Justice and as president of the Iowa Workers' Compensation Advisory Committee. He also acts as a grader for the Iowa Bar Exam. He has taught courses in labor law at Drake Law School, sports law and business law at Simpson College, and organizational management and moral leadership at William Penn University.

State senate

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Boulton was elected to his first term in the Iowa Senate in 2016. He represents the people of Senate District 16 on the Northeast side of Des Moines and in Pleasant Hill.

He is ranking member on the Labor & Business Relations Committee. He also serves on the appropriations, commerce and judiciary committees.

Gubernatorial campaign (2017–2018)

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On May 4, 2017 Boulton announced his candidacy for Governor of Iowa. His platform includes fighting for workers' rights, as he was an outspoken opponent of the collective bargaining bill that was passed by the Republican led Iowa Legislature. He also voiced strong support for public education in Iowa.[6] Former Presidential Candidate Martin O'Malley lauded Boulton's announcement, writing on Twitter, "The future is now. Congratulations @NateBoulton on entering the race for #IAGov #iapolitics".[7]

Boulton suspended his campaign in May 2018 after The Des Moines Register published the accounts of three women accusing Boulton of sexual misconduct.[4][5] The allegations against Boulton included non-consensual groping and frotteurism.[5]

Electoral history

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Election Political result Candidate Party Votes %
Iowa State Senate primary elections, 2016
District 16
Turnout: 3,054[8]
Democratic Nate BoultonDemocratic1,61452.85%
Pam Dearden Conner Democratic1,43847.09%
Write-ins Democratic20.07%
Iowa State Senate elections, 2016
District 16
Turnout: 23,485[9]
Democratic hold Nate BoultonDemocratic14,04659.81%
Mike Pryor Republican8,11434.55%
Christopher Whiteing Libertarian1,2545.34%
Write-ins 710.30%

References

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  1. ^ Meinch, Timothy (June 7, 2016). "Boulton beats Dearden Conner for Iowa Senate seat". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  2. ^ Elmer, MacKenzie (November 8, 2016). "Democrat Nate Boulton wins open Iowa Senate seat". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  3. ^ Democrat Nate Boulton announces a run for governor, Des Moines Register, 05/04/2017.
  4. ^ a b "Three women accuse Iowa governor candidate Nate Boulton of sexual misconduct". Des Moines Register. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  5. ^ a b c "Nate Boulton suspends governor campaign after accusations of sexual misconduct". Des Moines Register. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  6. ^ "Democrat Nate Boulton announces run for governor".
  7. ^ @MartinOMalley (May 4, 2017). "The future is now. Congratulations @NateBoulton on entering the race for #IAGov #iapolitics" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ^ "2016 Primary Election Canvass Summary" (PDF). Secretary of State of Iowa. p. 32. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  9. ^ "2016 General Election Canvass Summary" (PDF). Secretary of State of Iowa. p. 47. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
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Iowa Senate
Preceded by 20th District
2023 – present
Succeeded by
Preceded by 16th District
2017 – 2023
Succeeded by