.gif)
Matt McCoy (Iowa politician)
Encyclopedia
Matthew W. "Matt" McCoy (born March 29, 1966) is the Iowa State Senator from the 31st District, which is composed of south and southwest Des Moines
. A Democrat
, McCoy has served in the Iowa Senate
since 1997.
He graduated from Dowling High School, received his B.A.
from Briar Cliff College and is serving as Vice President of Community Development, Downtown Development Corporation.
McCoy currently serves on several committees in the Iowa Senate – the committees on commerce, local government, transportation, appropriations (of which he is vice chair), and ways and means (which he also vice chairs). In addition, he serves as chair of the appropriations committee subcommittee on transportation, infrastructure, and capitals appropriations.
His prior political experience includes serving as a representative in the Iowa House of Representatives
from 1993 to 1997 and serving on the Polk County
Conservation Board from 1988 to 1995. He became an Eagle Scout
in 1981.
McCoy was re-elected in 2006
with 13,276 votes (66%), defeating Republican
opponent Nicholas G. van Patten, and again in 2010.
On March 14, 2007 McCoy was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly violating the Hobbs Act
. On December 13, 2007, he was found not guilty after two hours of deliberations.
McCoy is openly gay and was the first openly gay member of the Iowa General Assembly
. He has one son, Jack, and worships at Plymouth Congregational Church. His 2006 and 2010 re-election campaigns won the backing of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
.
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
. A Democrat
Iowa Democratic Party
The Iowa Democratic Party is the local branch of the Democratic Party in the state of Iowa.-Current elected officials:Iowa Democrats are in control of the Iowa Senate, one of the state's United States Senate seats, and three out of the state's five United States House of Representatives seats. ...
, McCoy has served in the Iowa Senate
Iowa Senate
The Iowa Senate is the upper house of the Iowa General Assembly. There are 50 members of the Senate, representing 50 single-member districts across the state with populations of approximately 59,500 per constituency. Each Senate district is composed of two House districts...
since 1997.
He graduated from Dowling High School, received his B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Briar Cliff College and is serving as Vice President of Community Development, Downtown Development Corporation.
McCoy currently serves on several committees in the Iowa Senate – the committees on commerce, local government, transportation, appropriations (of which he is vice chair), and ways and means (which he also vice chairs). In addition, he serves as chair of the appropriations committee subcommittee on transportation, infrastructure, and capitals appropriations.
His prior political experience includes serving as a representative in the Iowa House of Representatives
Iowa House of Representatives
The Iowa House of Representatives is the lower house of the Iowa General Assembly. There are 100 members of the House of Representatives, representing 100 single-member districts across the state with populations of approximately 29,750 for each constituency...
from 1993 to 1997 and serving on the Polk County
Polk County, Iowa
Polk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 430,640 in the 2010 census, an increase from 374,601 in the 2000 census. The county seat is Des Moines, which is also the capital city of Iowa...
Conservation Board from 1988 to 1995. He became an Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
in 1981.
McCoy was re-elected in 2006
Iowa Senate elections, 2006
The 2006 Iowa Senate election was held on November 7, 2006. The Senate seats for the twenty-five odd-numbered districts were up for election. Senate terms are staggered such that half the membership is elected every two years. Senators serve four-year terms. Prior to the election, the Senate...
with 13,276 votes (66%), defeating Republican
Republican Party of Iowa
The Republican Party of Iowa is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Iowa. The State Central Committee is led by Chairman Matt Strawn and Co-Chairman Bill Schickel...
opponent Nicholas G. van Patten, and again in 2010.
On March 14, 2007 McCoy was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly violating the Hobbs Act
Hobbs Act
The Hobbs Act, named after Congressman Sam Hobbs and codified at , is a U.S. federal law that prohibits actual or attempted robbery or extortion affecting interstate or foreign commerce. Section 1951 also proscribes conspiracy to commit robbery or extortion without reference to the conspiracy...
. On December 13, 2007, he was found not guilty after two hours of deliberations.
McCoy is openly gay and was the first openly gay member of the Iowa General Assembly
Iowa General Assembly
The Iowa General Assembly is the legislative branch of the state government of Iowa. Like the federal United States Congress, the General Assembly is a bicameral body, composed of the upper house Iowa Senate and the lower Iowa House of Representatives respectively...
. He has one son, Jack, and worships at Plymouth Congregational Church. His 2006 and 2010 re-election campaigns won the backing of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is an American political action committee dedicated to increasing the number of openly LGBT public officials in US political life.The Victory Fund was founded in 1991...
.
External links
- McCoy for Senate official site
- Senator Matt McCoy official Iowa Legislature site
- Senator Matt McCoy official Iowa General Assembly site