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Delegates Will Elect State Officers at Oct. 18 Convention

(TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2025) – Every two years, the Iowa Federation of Republican Women (IowaFRW) gathers in the fall to elect new officers to lead the most influential women’s political organization in the First in the Nation Caucus state. This year, delegates to the IowaFRW Biennial Convention will elect new officers for 2026-2027 at their 42nd convention, Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Stine Barn, in West Des Moines.

In accordance with the IowaFRW Bylaws, the 2025 Nominating Committee, elected by the IowaFRW Board of Directors, has nominated the following slate of officers to serve for the 600-member organization during the 2026-2027 term which begins Jan. 1, 2026:

  • PRESIDENT: Michelle Crawford, Eldridge
  • 1st VICE PRESIDENT: Denise Bubeck, Grimes
  • 2nd VICE PRESIDENT: Terri Steinke, Des Moines
  • TREASURER: Barbara Hatinger, Cedar Falls
  • SECRETARY: Heather Boustead, Urbandale

Special thanks to the 2025 Nominating Committee:

  • Gwen Ecklund, Denison, Chair
  • Barbara Hames-Bryant, Cedar Rapids, Secretary
  • Judy Hilgenberg, Bettendorf
  • Lori Leonard Reyman, Holstein
  • Gloria Mazza, Clive
  • Amy Meskimen, Eldridge
  • Melissa Speed, Des Moines

“The IowaFRW board of directors in April elected seven members to serve as their Nominating Committee for the next biennial elections. They diligently worked in unity to review possible candidates from across the state,” said Gwen Ecklund, Nominating Committee chair. “If elected at the biennial convention in October, these members will serve on the 2026-2027 IowaFRW Executive Committee. We look forward to their vision and leadership in the coming years.”

Also serving on the Executive Committee for the next biennium will be Barbara Hames-Bryant, Immediate Past President, a Parliamentarian, and a maximum of two presidential advisors to be named by the incoming President.

“I am grateful for a fantastic two years and so appreciative of all the work accomplished by the leadership team,” said Crawford, who also serves as 2024-2025 president. “I am excited to continue the efforts of IowaFRW in the First in the Nation state with this excellent team.”

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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