DES MOINES – Iowa State Senator Jerry Behn, R-Boone, serving Senate District 24, has announced his plans to retire from the Iowa Senate when his sixth term comes to an end.

“I want to thank all my constituents for the honor of representing them in the Iowa Senate all these years. It has been one of the greatest privileges I have been bestowed. I’m proud of the work I have done and the policies we have put into place these last few years to grow our economy, attract businesses to our state and encourage smaller government,” said Behn.

“During my first term in the Iowa Senate, I was proud to cast a vote for the largest income tax cut in Iowa history at the time. I was equally proud of my vote during my last term to support an even larger income tax cut, keeping my promise to voters to reduce their tax burden.”

Behn was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 1996 after serving as a Boone County Supervisor from 1995-1996. He served as the Republican Leader in 2012 and currently serves as the President Pro Tempore. He is a member of the Farm Bureau, Iowa Soybean Association, the NRA, and the Iowa Association of Business and Industry. Behn graduated from United Community High School and has been farming for 47 years. Behn and his wife, Dennise, live on a farm outside of Boone. They have two daughters and two sons, and are the grandparents of seven grandchildren.