Brenda Curran, an Ottumwa resident and native, officially declared her candidacy for State Representative for Iowa House District 25, representing the Ottumwa, Eldon, and Agency in the upcoming 2024 elections.
“I decided to run for the State House in 2024 because our community needs our local issues to be heard at the Capitol,” Curran said in regards to her call to run for office. “I am proud to be born and raised in Ottumwa, and am proud of this community. But it is time for Wapello county to have a representative that will show up and be willing to listen and advocate for what we need.”
Curran is a graduate of Seton Catholic High School and Indian Hills Community College. She is married to Joe Curran, an educator, coach and mentor at the Ottumwa Community School District. They have been married for over 30 years and have two adult children.
Curran is the daughter of the former state representative for Wapello County, Mary Gaskill. Mary Gaskill served in the Iowa House for 17 years, from 2003-2020. Brenda’s father, Jim Gaskill worked for the State of Iowa as an Iowa State Patrol Officer for 27 years. Curran learned many leadership skills and what it looks like to be an advocate and public servant from her parents. Curran hopes to continue their legacy at the state house in 2024.
“It feels like we have all fallen down this rabbit hole of partisan politics. We need to get out of it and look around at our community. Ottumwa, Eldon and Agency are great places to live but our voices aren’t being represented at the State House. That is why I have decided to run for office. I am going to advocate for individual liberties and the right for families and women to make their own healthcare decisions,” Curran said in a press release. “I will be a fierce advocate for strong public schools and adequate funding for the essential social services that keep our community afloat. I am also dedicated to fighting for higher wages and lower costs for our workers, right here in Wapello County. Our community deserves a representative who sticks up for us and is willing to go against the grain to truly represent our voices. I intend to do just that when I get to the state house in 2024.”
