The Burlington native is running to unseat Sen. Robert Dvorsky in Senate District 37, representing the Iowa City/Corallville area in central Iowa.
Southeast Iowa native Eric Dirth has announced his candidacy for the Iowa Senate.
At only 26 years old, Dirth is running to unseat Sen. Robert Dvorsky, D-Coralville, in Senate District 37, which includes Johnson, Cedar and Muscatine counties.
Dirth, a Democrat, is in his final year of law school at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Prior to moving to Iowa City, Dirth grew up in Waterloo and West Point.
He was born in Burlington and is a 2009 graduate of Fort Madison High School.
"Iowa's legislators are not listening to Iowans. Instead, they are making nearsighted decisions that benefit the select few. It is time for proactive and progressive policies that benefit all Iowans," Dirth said in a statement Jan. 17 announcing his candidacy. "I will fight against any statewide legislation that preempts local communities' efforts to improve the lives of their citizens. Iowan leadership begins at the local level."
If elected, Dirth says he will advocate for environmental reform, including funding the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund as a way to solidify funding for water quality projects. He also wants to "get more treatment to more people" battling mental health disorders and drug addiction.
"We must work with physicians and hospitals to reduce access to opioids while exploring other options for treating severe and chronic pain. We can make tremendous strides by making sure those struggling with addiction feel supported and included in our communities.
In addition to attending law school, Dirth teaches Catholic education at St. Patrick's Parish in Iowa City.
He will face Dvorsky in a June 5 primary.