Rich Arnold, a Republican from Russell announced Friday that he will not seek re-election. Russell is serving his ninth term in the House, representing Lucas and Monroe Counties, and smaller portions of Mahaska and Marion County. In Marion County, he represents the southeastern portion of the county, primarily the Bussey area. Redistricting as a result of the 2010 census, however, puts Arnold in new House District 28, and his home in Russell is in the extreme southern portion of the new District. The new district would have him representing all of Marion County with the exception of Pella, into Jasper county, a much more northern district. Redistricting has also shifted Representative Jim Van Engelenhoven from Pella to the east in a district that separates Pella from the rest of Marion County. Arnold’s resignation leaves the majority of Marion County with the exception of Pella without an incumbent in the House running for re-election. Representative Van Engelenhoven has not declared his intentions regarding the next election.

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