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Janet PetersenDEMDemocrat State Senator, District 18
53
Years of Age
21
Years of Experience
IAResidence (state)

Janet Petersen (born August 1, 1970) is an American politician and a Democratic member of the Iowa Senate representing the 18th District since January 2013. She previously served as the Senate Minority Leader and has previously represented the 64th district in the Iowa House of Representatives between 2001 and 2013. She received her BA from the University of Northern Iowa and her MA from Drake University. Petersen serves on several committees in the Iowa Senate – the Government Oversight, Judiciary, State Government and Ways & Means committees. She also serves as the ranking member of the Commerce Committee. Petersen served as state Senate minority leader after replacing Rob Hogg in October 2017. She was the first woman to lead the Senate Democratic caucus.

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Education4 - 4 of 2
Drake University
MA Integrated Communications
1997 - 1999
University of Northern Iowa
BA Communications/Public Relations
1988 - 1992
Past Positions1 - 8 of 8
Democratic Leader
Iowa State Senate
2017 - 2021
Senator
Iowa State Senate
2012 - Current
Representative
Iowa State House of Representatives
2000 - 2012
Volunteer
Clinton/Gore Presidential Campaign
1992
Founding Partner and Vice-President
Healthy Birth Day
2008 - Current
Self-Employed
Marketing/Communications Consulting
2001 - 2008
Public Relations Senior Account Executive
Strategic America
1997 - 2001
Communications Specialist
American Heart Association
1989 - 1997
Other Experience1 - 27 of 27
Member
Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (HAWK-I) Board
2015 - Current
Big Sister
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Former Board Member
Polk County Health Services
Former Board Member
Polk County Housing Trust
Former Board Member
United Way of Central Iowa
Former Communications Chair
Polk County Democrats Central Committee
Former Ex Officio Member
Iowa Values Fund Board of Directors
Former Member
Board of Directors, Des Moines Arts Festival
Member
Plymouth Congregational Church
Member
21st Century Forum
Member
Board of Directors, Small Business Development Centers
Member
American Danish Brotherhood
Member
Walnut Hills United Methodist Church
Member
Polk County Democrats Central Committee
Member
Democratic Leadership Council
Parent Volunteer
Children's Schools
Former Member
Joint Committee on Administration, Iowa State Senate
Former Member
Subcommittee on Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capitals Appropriations, Iowa State Senate
Former Member
Legislative Council, Iowa State Senate
Former Member
Natural Resources and Environment Committee, Iowa State Senate
Former Member
State Government Committee, Iowa State Senate
Former Member
Ways and Means Committee, Iowa State Senate
Former Member
Government Oversight Committee, Iowa State Senate
Former Member
Joint Committee on Studies, Iowa State Senate
Former Member
Joint Committee on Service, Iowa State Senate
Former Ranking Member
Commerce Committee, Iowa State Senate
Former Ranking Member
Rules and Administration Committee, Iowa State Senate