Biography

Congressman Dave Loebsack, who grew up in poverty and was raised by a single parent, is living proof of how community support can make a difference in people’s lives. He faced many challenges but with hard work and help from teachers, friends and mentors he was able to overcome his many hardships. As a result, Dave has dedicated his adult life to helping people find opportunity and hope.

Dave grew up in Sioux City, where he attended East High School. After graduation, Dave attended Iowa State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree. Dave then went on to earn a PhD in Political Science from the University of California, Davis. In 1982, Dave moved back to Iowa and became a political science teacher at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon. Today, Dave has the honor to serve as a Professor Emeritus at Cornell College.

Dave lives in Mt. Vernon, Iowa with his wife Terry, a retired school teacher. Terry taught second grade in Mt. Vernon for the past 28 years and is a member of the Iowa State Education Association.

Dave is currently serving his second term in the United States House of Representatives. He represents Iowa’s Second Congressional District which encompasses much of Southeastern Iowa. The fifteen counties included in the Second District are Appanoose, Cedar, Davis, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Johnson, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Muscatine, Van Buren, Wapello, Washington and Wayne. He serves on The House Education and Labor Committee and The House Armed Services Committee.

Dave and Terry are the proud parents of four grown children. Jennifer, a graduate of Beloit College is now working on her Master’s of Library Sciences at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Sarah, a graduate of Kirkwood College is now an RN at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Marcos Melendez III, Terry’s son, and his wife Michelle are both Naval Academy graduates (class of 2000) and are Captains in the United States Marine Corps. Madeleine Melendez, Terry’s daughter, attended Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls.