Martin Graber | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Iowa House of Representatives | |
| In office January 10, 2021 – January 31, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Jeff Kurtz |
| Succeeded by | TBD |
| Constituency |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 3, 1952 Donnellson, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | January 31, 2025 (aged 72) Fort Madison, Iowa, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Coni |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | Iowa National Guard |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
Martin L. Graber (June 3, 1952 – January 31, 2025) was an American politician who was a Republican member of the Iowa House of Representatives from 2021 until his death. Formerly serving district 83, he was serving[1] District 100 at the time of his death.
Education and early career
[edit]Graber was born on June 3, 1952, in Donnellson, Iowa.[2] He was raised there and attended Central Lee High School.[3] He earned a degree in business administration at the University of Iowa, and completed a master's degree in business at St. Ambrose University in 1987, followed by a master's degree in strategic studies at the United States Army War College in 2002.[3] Graber served 32 years in the National Guard,[4] retiring with the rank of brigadier general within the Iowa National Guard.[3] During Operation Desert Storm, Graber was deployed to Germany.[5] At other times during his military career, he served with the 224th Engineer Battalion and at Camp Dodge.[5] From 1980 to 1991, Graber was a manager within the human resources department of the Dial Corporation.[4][3] From 1991, he worked for Ameriprise Financial Service in Fort Madison, Iowa, as a financial adviser.[4][3]
Political career
[edit]At the time of his first state legislative campaign in 2020, Graber was still working for Amerprise, and was serving his second term as chair of the Lee County Republican Party.[4][3] Graber filed for the Republican nomination for District 83 of the Iowa House of Representatives in March 2020,[3] and defeated incumbent legislator Jeff Kurtz in the November 2020 general elections.[6][7]
Personal life and death
[edit]Graber and his wife, Coni, had two children.[8] He died in Fort Madison, Iowa, on January 31, 2025, at the age of 72.[8][2]
References
[edit]- ^ legis.iowa.gov
- ^ a b "Martin L. Graber". King-Lynk Funeral Home. February 2, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Delany, Robin (March 12, 2020). "Martin Graber seeks election to Iowa House". Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Delany, Robin (October 14, 2020). "Graber says it's time to put a conservative in the House seat". Daily Gate City. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ a b Vandenberg, Chuck (September 29, 2020). "Graber, Kurtz ramp up campaigns as absentee voting nears". Pen City Current. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ Sammann, Blake (October 27, 2020). "Graber and Kurtz square off in 83rd district race". WGEM. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ Roberts, Jim (November 4, 2020). "Graber unseats Kurtz from Iowa's 83rd district". WGEM. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ a b Gruber-Miller, Stephen (January 31, 2025). "Republican Iowa state Rep. Martin Graber dies unexpectedly at 72". Des Moines Register. Retrieved January 31, 2025.