Izaah Knox

Izaah JB Knox (born January 9, 1977) is an American politician currently elected as the senator for the 17th District of the Iowa Senate.

Izaah Knox
Member of the Iowa Senate
from the 17th district
Assumed office
January 9, 2023
Preceded byOpen Seat
Personal details
BornJanuary 9, 1977
Iowa City, Iowa
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceDes Moines, Iowa
EducationEllsworth Community College
Kirkwood Community College
Drake University
Iowa State University

Early life, education, and career

Knox was born in Iowa City, Iowa. He grew up between Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Seattle, WA. He graduated from Cedar Rapids Washington High School, then Drake University, where he completed a bachelor's degree in public relations and marketing. After working as a life coach and with the Urban Dreams nonprofit organization in Des Moines, Knox returned to Drake, earning a master's degree in organizational leadership and policy studies.[1] He then worked for Des Moines Area Community College, and subsequently pursued doctoral study at Iowa State University,[1] eventually returning to Urban Dreams as executive director.[2][3] Knox took over the organization from founder Wayne Ford.[4][5]

Political career

Knox began his campaign for the Iowa Senate in January 2022.[6] Knox defeated Grace Van Cleave in a June 2022 Democratic Party primary,[7][8] then won the general election for District 17 against Libertarian Party candidate ToyA Johnson and political independent Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz.[9][10] Knox is of African-American descent.[11] During the 2022 legislative election cycle, Knox was endorsed by Thomas Mann Jr., Iowa's first Black state senator who left office in 1989, Knox is the second Black senator.[12][13]

Personal life

Knox is married and has three children.[14]

References
  1. Clausen, Luke (3 November 2022). "Two-time Drake grad runs to represent Drake area in state senate". The Times-Delphic. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  2. "Peek inside Des Moines' Urban Dreams' new community ..." Des Moines Register. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  3. "Izaah Knox preparing to take the lead at Urban Dreams". Des Moines Register. 25 December 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  4. "For 30 years, Urban Dreams had 1 leader. In 2017, that will..." Des Moines Register. 28 December 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  5. "Wayne Ford to retire from Urban Dreams nonprofit next year". Des Moines Register. 4 December 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  6. "Izaah Knox announces state Senate run". KCCI. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  7. "Here's where the candidates in Senate District 17 stand on..." Des Moines Register. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  8. Altenhofen, Grace (7 June 2022). "Iowa primary elections: Izaah Knox wins Senate District 17 Democratic primary". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  9. "Meet Iowa Senate District 17 candidates ToyA Johnson, Izaah..." Des Moines Register. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  10. "Des Moines metro legislative election results: Gobble to ask ..." Des Moines Register. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  11. "Campaign Almanac: GOP lawmaker who opposed Kim Reynolds' school voucher plan endorses Deidre DeJear". The Gazette. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  12. "Doctor, activists feature in competitive Des Moines primaries". Des Moines Register. 9 May 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  13. "Opinion: Promising group could elevate Iowa Legislature's work". Des Moines Register. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  14. "Forty Under 40: Izaah JB Knox". Business Record. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
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