Preceded by Libby Jacobs Name Peter Cownie Religion Roman Catholic | Spouse(s) Mary Political party Republican Party Republican Party of Iowa | |
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Born April 19, 1980 (age 43)
Des Moines, Iowa ( 1980-04-19 ) Alma mater University of Virginia
Drake University Occupation President, Junior Achievement of Central Iowa Residence West Des Moines, Iowa, United States Education Drake University, University of Virginia | ||
Rep. Peter Cownie on KCCI - Supporting Sale of Public Lands
Peter Cownie (born April 19, 1980) is the Iowa State Representative from the 42nd District. A Republican, he has served in the Iowa House of Representatives since 2009. Cownie was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa and resides in West Des Moines, Iowa. He has a B.A. in American government from the University of Virginia and a Master's of Public Administration with an emphasis in public policy from Drake University.
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As of June 2013, Cownie serves on several committees in the Iowa House – the Agriculture, Government Oversight, and Ways and Means committees. He also serves as the chair of the Commerce committee.
Biography
Peter Cownie, resident of West Des Moines, Iowa was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. Peter graduated from Dowling High School in West Des Moines in 1999. Peter then graduated from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2003 after receiving his B.A in American Government.
After college Peter moved to Washington D.C. and worked at the Department of Transportation as an assistant to then Secretary of Transportation, Norman Mineta. Peter worked as a scheduling and advance assistant for Secretary Mineta traveling the United States and the world furthering the United States’ transportation interests.
After living in Washington D.C. for three years, Peter then moved back to his home state of Iowa. Peter worked at the Iowa Statehouse for the Iowa Senate Republican Caucus staff. Peter was a legislative analyst staffing the State Government Committee and the Health and Human Services Budget Subcommittee. While working at the Iowa Statehouse, Peter received his Masters in Public Administration with an emphasis in Public Policy from Drake University.
Peter is now serving as President of Junior Achievement of Central Iowa. Junior Achievement is a nonprofit organization located in Des Moines with a mission of teaching students K-12 the merits of entrepreneurship, financial literacy, savings and economics. Junior Achievement of Central Iowa reaches over 27,500 students annually.
In the election of 2008, Peter was elected to his first term in the Iowa House of Representatives. Peter represented District 60 which is a majority of West Des Moines in Polk County. Peter won re-election in 2010 with over 60% of the vote. Peter has served on the Education Committee, Ways & Means Committee and was Chair of the State Government Committee in the Legislature. Peter is also Chair of the State Government Efficiency Review Committee and served on the Iowa Commission of Interstate Cooperation. Peter won re-election to his third term representing District 42 after redistricting. Peter currently serves as Chair of the House Commerce Committee as well as the Agriculture, Government Oversight and Ways and Means Committees.
Peter also serves his community as Chair of the West Des Moines Community Enrichment Foundation, the West Des Moines Human Services Board, the Dowling Catholic High School Foundation Board, the Greater Dallas County Development Alliance Board and the Successful Iowa Families Caucus. Peter volunteers for Junior Achievement of Central Iowa, Boys & Girls Club, and Variety Club of Central Iowa. Peter is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines and is married to his high school sweetheart, Mary. Peter and Mary have one son.
Electoral history
*incumbent