Kent Sorenson
Kent Sorenson (b. March 29, 1972) is a former Republican member of the Iowa State Senate, representing District 13 from 2011 to October 2, 2013. He resigned amidst allegations of violating ethics rules by receiving money from groups connected to the Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul presidential campaigns. Sorensen noted that his resignation was "absolutely not" an admission of guilt.[1]
Biography
Sorenson's professional experience includes working as Owner/Operator of Pro-Kleen Maintenance, a soccer coach, and a volunteer fire fighter.[2]
Committee assignments
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Sorenson served on the following committees:
| Iowa committee assignments, 2012 |
|---|
| • Government Oversight |
| • Judiciary |
| • State Government |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Sorenson served on these committees:
| Iowa committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Government Oversight |
| • Judiciary |
| • Natural Resources & Environment |
| • State Government |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Sorenson served on these committees:
| Iowa committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Commerce |
| • Economic Growth |
| • Government Oversight |
| • Local Government |
| • Rebuild Iowa and Disaster Recovery |
Issues
Presidential preference
2012
Kent Sorenson endorsed Ron Paul in the 2012 presidential election.[3] Sorenson originally endorsed Michele Bachmann[4] and was serving as the state Chairman of her campaign in Iowa prior to endorsing Paul. Sorenson made the announcement at a rally for Paul on December 28, 2011, stating, "I believe we're at a turning point in this campaign. I thought it was my duty to come to his aid, just like he came to my aid during my Senate race, which was a very nasty race."[5]
Elections
2010
Sorenson did not run for re-election to House district 74 in 2010, but instead ran successfully for the 37th State Senate district seat.
- See also: Iowa State Senate elections, 2010
Sorenson defeated Democratic incumbent Staci Appel by a margin of 16,748 to 11,646 in the November 2 general election.[6]
In the June 8 primary election, Sorenson ran unopposed.[7]
| Iowa State Senate, District 37 (2010) General Election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
 Kent Sorenson (R)
|
16,748 | 59% | ||
| Staci Appel (D) | 11,646 | 41% | ||
| Iowa State Senate, District 37 - Republican Primary (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Kent Sorenson
|
4,851 | 100% | ||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Sorenson was elected to the 74th District Seat in the Iowa House of Representatives, defeating Mark Davitt (D).[8] Sorenson raised $49,892 for his campaign, while Davitt raised $34,059.[9]
| Iowa House of Representatives, District 74 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Kent Sorensen (R)
|
8,846 | |||
| Mark Davitt (D) | 8,683 | |||
Campaign themes
2010
On his campaign website, Sorenson lists these issues as his causes:[10]
- Lower taxes
- Responsible spending
- Better schools
- Iowa families
Campaign finance summary
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Sorenson and his wife, Shawnee, have six children.
Noteworthy events
FBI Raid
In November 2013, the FBI searched Sorenson's home in connection to allegations that the 2012 presidential campaigns of both Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul made secret payments to Sorenson. Agents allegedly spent nearly seven hours searching his home and computers.[11]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for Kent + Sorenson + Iowa + Senate
External links
- Kent Sorenson's Campaign Website
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions: 2010, 2008
- Kent Sorenson on Facebook
- Kent Sorenson on Twitter
Footnotes
- ↑ CBS Minnesota, "Iowa senator quits after report on Bachmann money," October 2, 2013
- ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Tymeson
- ↑ Wall Street Journal, "Bachmann’s Iowa State Chairman Defects to Ron Paul," December 28, 2011
- ↑ Iowa Independent, "Sorenson, Zaun make Bachmann support official," August 14, 2011
- ↑ USA Today, "Bachmann's Iowa campaign chairman endorses Paul," December 29, 2011
- ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "Official 2010 election results," accessed December 24, 2013
- ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "Official 2010 Primary election results," accessed April 7, 2014
- ↑ Iowa Secretary of State, "Official 2008 General election results," accessed April 7, 2014
- ↑ Follow The Money, "Funds raised by 2008 Iowa House candidates," accessed April 7, 2014
- ↑ About Kent Sorenson
- ↑ startribune.com, "FBI raids home of top Bachmann aide in Iowa," December 4, 2013
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Tod Bowman (D) |
Iowa State Senate District 13 January 2013–October 2013 |
Succeeded by Julian B. Garrett (R) |
| Preceded by Staci Appel |
Iowa State Senate District 37 2011-2013 |
Succeeded by Robert Dvorsky (D) |
| Preceded by - |
Iowa House of Representatives District 74 2009–2011 |
Succeeded by Glen H. Massie |
