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Leaders Gather for Summer Meeting in West Des Moines
(THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025) – The Iowa Federation of Republican Women (IowaFRW) Executive Committee met in West Des Moines this week to plan the rest of the year, review goals for the current 2024-2025 biennium, prepare for the National Convention in September and the State Convention in October, and get ready for the exciting 2026 election season.

“When Governor Kim Reynolds announced she would not seek re-election in 2026, the groundwork was laid for numerous Republican primaries throughout the state, including the Governor’s office and at least one Congressional race,” said Michelle Crawford, IowaFRW president, from Eldridge.

“Even though the Primary Election is not until June 2026, candidates have already begun announcing their intentions and building their campaigns for the November 3, 2026, election,” Crawford added.

This summer’s Executive meeting agenda included review of the NFRW endorsement policy as candidates are gearing up for the 2026 elections.

“While 2025 is an off year for elections, grassroots volunteers like IowaFRW members work year-round to help get Republicans elected and to promote conservative causes,” said Lori Leonard Reyman, Public Relations Chair for the National Federation of Republican Women and the Iowa Federation of Republican Women, from Holstein. “IowaFRW members volunteer more than 100,000 hours annually to elect Republicans at all levels. And on a national level, our members volunteer about 10 million hours per year. We are all politically active and have working relationships with officials, candidates, and campaigns; many of whom are also members of the Federation.”

These relationships and the Federation’s work are critical to Republican Party efforts, but it’s also important to note that neutrality in contested primaries preserves the integrity of the process and protects Iowa’s First in the Nation Caucus status.

The Endorsement Policy of the NFRW states in part that the President and Campaign Committee Chair of NFRW or any state Federation shall not publicly endorse any candidate for public office in an any Republican primary. And that no endorsements may be made using the Federation name or logo, nor in the name of NFRW, the state Federation or club, nor in a member’s official capacity with the Federation.

The 2024-2025 IowaFRW Executive Committee is composed of: Michelle Crawford, President; Amy Meskimen, 1st Vice President; Denise Bubeck, 2nd Vice President; Julie Ulrich, Secretary; Jen Dumas, Treasurer; Barbara Hames-Bryant, Immediate Past President, Gwen Ecklund, Parliamentarian; Lori Leonard Reyman, Presidential Advisor. The leadership group held its Summer Executive Meeting at the Stine Barn in West Des Moines, the location of the upcoming IowaFRW 42nd Biennial Convention, on Saturday, Oct. 18. The convention will include election of officers for 2026-2027, Board of Directors meeting, speakers, and a pre-convention reception on Friday, Oct. 17, at the West Des Moines Marriot. All members and guests are invited and reservation links will be released soon.

The theme of this biennium’s convention is “Red, White & Boots” and the Stine Barn is the perfect setting for a patriotic western theme. Members and guest are invited to wear red, white and blue, boots and hats, and gear up for election season.

The NFRW Biennial Convention will be held Sept. 25-28 in Orlando, Fla., and IowaFRW will release its list of national delegates Aug. 1.

The Iowa Federation of Republican Women, founded in Tama County in 1939, unites the voices and values within the Republican Party. The IowaFRW (www.iowafrw.org), with local clubs and members throughout the state, proudly represents the party that first made it possible for women to vote in the United States, and works to increase the effectiveness of women in the cause of good government. IowaFRW members volunteer more than 100,000 hours annually to fulfill our mission of electing Republican candidates, promoting the principles of the Republican Party, educating the public, and informing the media. IowaFRW is a member organization of the National Federation of Republican Women, the largest grassroots Republican women’s organization in the country, founded in 1938.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lori Leonard Reyman, Spokesperson     lori@iowafrw.org

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