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About the office

Iowa senators help write and vote on state laws as part of the General Assembly; the Senate has 50 members, one from each Senate district.

Term: 4 years (Terms are staggered; half of the Senate is elected every two years.).

Pay: $25,000 annual salary, plus a daily allowance during the legislative session and a monthly expense allowance (Iowa Code 2.10).

Randy Marzen

State Senator District 37

Republican

Photo: source

Surveillance & privacy Pro-Flock

Said the state should support the tools law enforcement uses, with privacy concerns balanced against them.

SAID
In a KCRG Q&A, he said the state should support the tools law enforcement uses to catch dangerous criminals, and that concerns about license plate reader cameras can be balanced against the privacy concerns of Iowans.newsKCRG · Oct. 2, 2026

Quick facts

Office: State Senator District 37
Incumbent: No
Opponent: D Molly Donahue (Democratic, incumbent)
Raised this cycle: $9,375; all years on file: $9,375

At a glance

$9,375Raised (cycle)

$3,167Spent (cycle)

53Contributions

$0From PACs

$0From party

July 8, 2026Latest filing

Recent statement

Campaign site says he is running for the Iowa Senate focused on affordability, education and safety.

Biography

The race

Randy Marzen is the Republican candidate for State Senator District 37 in the Nov. 3, 2026, Linn County general election.
They are not the current officeholder.
Also on the ballot for this office: Molly Donahue (Democratic, incumbent).

Sources: Linn County Election Services candidate list

Background

The Ballot Brief, a nonpartisan election guide, describes Marzen as a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and command pilot with more than 3,500 flight hours.
The bio states he spent 14 years at Collins Aerospace after his military service and is a command pilot with over 3,500 flight hours.
The bio states he is an Iowa State University graduate with a master's degree in international relations.

Sources: The Ballot Brief; Marzen for Iowa

Public life

Campaign site says he held senior leadership roles, including Chief of Combat Operations for Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Campaign site says he spent 14 years at Collins Aerospace.
Ballotpedia says he advanced from the June 2, 2026 Republican primary.
The Linn County Republican Party website lists Randy Marzen as its candidate for Iowa Senate District 37.

Sources: Marzen for Iowa; Ballotpedia; Linn County GOP

Positions & statements

In a KCRG Q&A he said he wants government to live within its means and cut taxes.
In a KCRG Q&A he said the state should add guardrails when attracting data centers.
In a KCRG Q&A he said teachers should be supported so they can focus on teaching math, reading and science.
In a KCRG Q&A, he said the state should support the tools law enforcement uses to catch dangerous criminals, and that concerns about license plate reader cameras can be balanced against the privacy concerns of Iowans.

Show 10 more

Said Iowans are feeling high costs everywhere, especially rising property taxes, housing costs and health care expenses, and that families should not be taxed out of their homes.
Campaign site says he is running for the Iowa Senate focused on affordability, education and safety.
Campaign site says he supports parental rights, student and teacher safety, and a return to the basics of education.
Campaign site says he supports the military, law enforcement and first responders.
The bio says he is running as a citizen legislator to put families first, focusing on affordability, education, and public safety.
Said Iowa has made progress on water quality through voluntary measures and growing partnerships between communities, companies and farmers, and he favors encouraging those partnerships over more government regulation.
Said keeping young people in Iowa and growing the population requires good jobs available, strong schools for growing families, and continuing to lower income and property tax rates.
Said nobody wants to see eminent domain used, and that offering more voluntary agreements between businesses and landowners can limit the use of eminent domain in Iowa.
Said improving delivery of mental health services also means supporting affordable and accessible health care and policies that keep hospitals and health care facilities available when needed.
Said he is a firm believer in life and will support pro-life policies, and that on abortion the state should also help prepare and support expecting mothers and ensure healthy babies.

Sources: KCRG; Marzen for Iowa; Marzen for Iowa; The Gazette

Campaign money

Randy Marzen's campaign committee is Marzen for Iowa (IECDB id SWGA51471).
The committee has reported $9,375.25 in contributions across 53 contributions in filings through July 8, 2026, $9,375.25 of it since Jan. 1, 2025.
The largest individual donors include Lora Van Lent ($2,500.00), Interstate Decal Manufacturing ($1,231.20), Dean Soenksen ($505.00), Brenda L. Kelly ($500.00), Douglas Dix ($300.00), Robert Weems ($300.00), Albert Simon ($250.00), Caroline Chadima ($250.00), Jan Kirk ($250.00).
Contributions under the Marzen name among the top donors total $250.00.

Show 4 more

Reported expenditures total $3,166.96 across 8 payments, $3,166.96 of it since Jan. 1, 2025.
The largest outside payees include Victory Enterprises ($1,524.15), Moms for Liberty ($1,000.00), Marketing Innovations ($203.30), GoDaddy Operating Company, LLC ($141.46), Rapids Reproductions Inc ($100.05), Linn County Republican Central Committee ($100.00), United States Postal Service ($98.00).
Transparency USA reported that Marzen's campaign for Iowa State Senate District 37 had received $9,375 in total contributions and made $3,167 in total expenditures as of July 14, 2026.
Transparency USA listed his campaign's largest payee as Victory Enterprises Inc at $1,524.15, and listed a $1,000 payment to Moms for Liberty.

Sources: Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board (committees); Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board (contributions); Transparency USA

In the news

KCRG published a voter-guide Q&A with Randy Marzen, the Republican candidate for State Senate District 37.
The Gazette candidate profile says Donahue faces challenger Randy Marzen, who has not previously held office.

Sources: KCRG; The Gazette

Where they stand

Each mark is one sourced item from Positions & statements (left) or Record in office (right), grouped by issue. Click a mark to open its source; open an issue below to read its items.Tap an issue to see the sourced items.

Surveillance & privacy1 statement

Positions

In a KCRG Q&A, he said the state should support the tools law enforcement uses to catch dangerous criminals, and that concerns about license plate reader cameras can be balanced against the privacy concerns of Iowans.newsKCRG · Oct. 2, 2026

Record

None found.

Data centers1 statement

Positions

In a KCRG Q&A he said the state should add guardrails when attracting data centers.newsKCRG · Oct. 2, 2026

Record

None found.

Property taxes & budget2 statements

Positions

Said Iowans are feeling high costs everywhere, especially rising property taxes, housing costs and health care expenses, and that families should not be taxed out of their homes.newsKCRG · Oct. 2, 2026

Said keeping young people in Iowa and growing the population requires good jobs available, strong schools for growing families, and continuing to lower income and property tax rates.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 20, 2026

Record

None found.

Mental health1 statement

Positions

Said improving delivery of mental health services also means supporting affordable and accessible health care and policies that keep hospitals and health care facilities available when needed.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 20, 2026

Record

None found.

Abortion1 statement

Positions

Said he is a firm believer in life and will support pro-life policies, and that on abortion the state should also help prepare and support expecting mothers and ensure healthy babies.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 20, 2026

Record

None found.

Health care2 statements

Positions

Record

None found.

Jobs & economy1 statement

Positions

Record

None found.

Housing1 statement

Positions

Record

None found.

Eminent domain1 statement

Positions

Said nobody wants to see eminent domain used, and that offering more voluntary agreements between businesses and landowners can limit the use of eminent domain in Iowa.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 20, 2026

Record

None found.

Water & environment1 statement

Positions

Said Iowa has made progress on water quality through voluntary measures and growing partnerships between communities, companies and farmers, and he favors encouraging those partnerships over more government regulation.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 20, 2026

Record

None found.

Public safety1 statement

Positions

The bio says he is running as a citizen legislator to put families first, focusing on affordability, education, and public safety.campaignMarzen for Iowa · Oct. 17, 2026

Record

None found.

Schools & education5 statements

Positions

Campaign site says he is running for the Iowa Senate focused on affordability, education and safety.campaignMarzen for Iowa · Oct. 17, 2026

Campaign site says he supports parental rights, student and teacher safety, and a return to the basics of education.campaignMarzen for Iowa · Oct. 17, 2026

In a KCRG Q&A he said teachers should be supported so they can focus on teaching math, reading and science.newsKCRG · Oct. 2, 2026

The bio says he is running as a citizen legislator to put families first, focusing on affordability, education, and public safety.campaignMarzen for Iowa · Oct. 17, 2026

Show 1 more

Record

None found.

The race

State Senator District 37General election · Nov. 3, 2026

Randy MarzenRepublicanThis profile
Molly DonahueDemocratic · ★ Incumbent

Source: Linn County Election Services candidate list · Oct. 7, 2026

Ballotpedia says he advanced from the June 2, 2026 Republican primary.referenceBallotpedia · Oct. 17, 2026
The Ballot Brief, a nonpartisan election guide, describes Marzen as a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and command pilot with more than 3,500 flight hours.referenceThe Ballot Brief · Oct. 17, 2026

Campaign money

Campaign committee: Marzen for Iowa (IECDB id SWGA51471).officialIowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board (committees) · July 8, 2026

Filings through July 8, 2026

Contributions since Jan. 1, 2025	$9,375
Contributions, all years on file	$9,375
Individuals and other organizations	$9,375
Spending since Jan. 1, 2025	$3,167
Spending, all years on file	$3,167

Largest contributors

Lora Van Lent$2,500
Interstate Decal Manufacturing$1,231
Dean Soenksen$505
Brenda L. Kelly$500
Douglas Dix$300

Show all 10

Robert Weems$300
Albert Simon$250
Caroline Chadima$250
Dennis Marzen$250
Jan Kirk$250

Individuals and organizations other than committees, all years on file.

Other reports

referenceTransparency USA · Oct. 17, 2026
- Transparency USA reported that Marzen's campaign for Iowa State Senate District 37 had received $9,375 in total contributions and made $3,167 in total expenditures as of July 14, 2026.
- Transparency USA listed his campaign's largest payee as Victory Enterprises Inc at $1,524.15, and listed a $1,000 payment to Moms for Liberty.

Public record

The Linn County Republican Party website lists Randy Marzen as its candidate for Iowa Senate District 37.partyLinn County GOP · Oct. 17, 2026

Positions & statements

12 statements are grouped above under Surveillance & privacy, Data centers, Property taxes & budget, Mental health, Abortion, Health care, Jobs & economy, Housing, Eminent domain, Water & environment, Public safety, Schools & education. Also said:

Campaign site says he supports the military, law enforcement and first responders.campaignMarzen for Iowa · Oct. 17, 2026
In a KCRG Q&A he said he wants government to live within its means and cut taxes.newsKCRG · Oct. 2, 2026

Background

campaignMarzen for Iowa · Oct. 17, 2026
- Campaign site says he held senior leadership roles, including Chief of Combat Operations for Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
- Campaign site says he spent 14 years at Collins Aerospace.
- The bio states he spent 14 years at Collins Aerospace after his military service and is a command pilot with over 3,500 flight hours.
- The bio states he is an Iowa State University graduate with a master's degree in international relations.

In the news

KCRG published a voter-guide Q&A with Randy Marzen, the Republican candidate for State Senate District 37.newsKCRG · Oct. 2, 2026
The Gazette candidate profile says Donahue faces challenger Randy Marzen, who has not previously held office.newsThe Gazette · Oct. 15, 2026