Meet Brenda Case

Democratic Candidate for Iowa State Senate District 13

I am Brenda Case and I want to serve Appanoose, Davis, Monroe, and Wapello Counties as our next District 13 State Senator. Send me to Des Moines and I will make sure our area is counted in every consideration that comes before the Legislature.

I will show up, stand up, and speak up for you. I will remember where I come from and who I serve.

It's you. I serve you.

Brenda was born in Ottumwa and has lived in Wapello County most of her life. She attended Ottumwa Community Schools and Eddyville High School, graduating from Rocky Mountain High School in 1981. She earned bachelor's degrees in psychology and sociology from Buena Vista University, and a Project Management Certificate from the University of Iowa Tippie School of Business.

Rural Roots

Brenda's family had a small farm outside Kirkville, Iowa in the 1970s. Her family raised registered quarter horses and Australian shepherds on 23 acres. There were always a few orphan calves, piglets, raccoons, and whatever other creatures could be sneaked into the barn before her dad noticed. Rodeo, 4H, trumpet playing, art, gardening, and chores defined her rural roots.

Her neighbors were livestock and row crop farmers. She listened as they sat around the kitchen table, played pitch, and discussed the “rich farmer” of the 70s and the farm crisis of the 80s. Now our farmers face threats from corporate monopolies and commodity prices controlled by outside forces. Brenda believes our farmers deserve better than that. She is ready to listen again and work on solutions.

Hard Work

Brenda comes from a proud, blue-collar family, where she learned the values of solidarity, respect, and doing high quality work. Watching her brother follow in their father's footsteps as a union sheet metal worker taught her that we are strongest when we act together.

Benefits from union employment provided a good living in past generations. But over the past 40 years, unions have lost negotiating authority and workers are struggling to pay for housing, education, and healthcare. In the past, families could meet their needs, as well as many of their wants, on one parent's union wages. That is not true for families now. Strengthening unions instead of making more billionaires is the path to revive the middle class.

Career

Brenda’s career included 28 years as an IT Project Manager with the Iowa Judicial Branch. She received recognition from the Supreme Court of Iowa for exemplary dedication to the administration of justice. Her earlier work was in computer service, factory quality assurance management, and mechanical drafting at Everco/Moog, Public Safety Equipment, and Pella Rolscreen.

Family & Community

Brenda has one son and two grandchildren. Having been divorced early, she understands the challenges of parenthood, especially single parenthood. She enjoys historic preservation projects, motorcycle riding, watercolor painting, and pickleball. She and her Great Pyrenees, Pixie, enjoy long walks. She also enjoys traveling across the country and the world.