Marion County Sheriff Jason Sandholdt has announced his bid for Iowa House District 37.

The house seat is going to be open for the 2026 elections as Representative Barb Kniff McCulla made an announcement that she is running for Iowa Senate District 19 to replace current State Senator Ken Rozenboom, who will be retiring at the end of this term. 

Sandholdt, a Republican, has been in law enforcement for over 30 years and has been sheriff of Marion County since 2013. Sandholdt tells KNIA/KRLS that some of his main legislative priorities are being tough on crime and supporting private businesses and their employees. Sandholdt says that he wants to use his experience in law enforcement to serve citizens at the state level.

“In my number of years in law enforcement, I see things going on across the state, I see things going on across the country and with 30+ years in law enforcement I kind of wanted to expand in regards to where I feel I can serve the citizens. I’ve been truly honored and humbled to serve as the sheriff of Marion County, but with the new opportunity in House District 37, I can also serve western Mahaska County and Southern Jasper County. I just wanted to expand that and take my experience up to the capitol.”

The 2026 Republican Primary will be June 2nd. Sandholdt lives outside of Otley with his wife Lisa and they have two children.