Jeff Mullen Says He Won't Seek the Nomination in Senate District 22

Former candidate for Senate District 22 and conservative pastor Jeff Mullen released a statement today saying he will not seek the GOP nomination in the Dec. 11 special election, which will choose a candidate to replace the late Sen. Pat Ward.

"While I am not seeking this position, I will continue to be a voice for Iowa citizens," Mullen said in his statement. "By the end of the year I will have a very special initiative to announce."

Mullen, a pastor at Waukee's Point of Grace Church, unsuccessfully challenged Ward for the Republican nomination for Senate District 22 in the primary election.

Ward died on Oct. 15 after a three-year battle with breast cancer. According to Iowa Code, the Republican Party of Iowa must nominate a candidate to run in the Dec. 11 special election against Democrat Desmund Adams. The nomination is due by Nov. 13 and the Polk and Dallas County GOP central committees will meet on Nov. 8 to select a candidate.

Ward's Husband Steps In

On Wednesday, the husband of the late Sen. Pat Ward, announced today his intent to seek the Republican nomination in Iowa Senate District 22 which includes includes Waukee, Clive, Windsor Heights and part of West Des Moines.

Ward is a former West Des Moines school board president and president and CEO of Sullivan & Ward, PC, a West Des Moines-based law firm. He graduated from Drake University Law School and is a lifelong resident of Iowa.