Iowa State Senator Dave Rowley announced he has been diagnosed with tonsil cancer on Monday.
Rowley lives in Spirit Lake and has served in the Iowa Senate since 2022. He currently represents District 5, which includes Dickinson, Emmet, and Palo Alto counties.
In a statement, he said every cancer diagnosis is serious, but after speaking with his family and care team, he is optimistic his cancer is treatable.
He also said over the next several weeks he will undergo treatment, fighting the cancer with all his strength, as first reported by the Sioux City Journal.
Rowley plans to be at the Iowa Capitol as much as possible to work on important issues that lie ahead in the legislature.
He added he filed for re-election Monday morning, anticipating to jump right in for the next election cycle. According to his website his priorities include tax relief, workforce development, and growing the state economy. Rowley has served as vice-chair on the senate appropriations committee, and as chair of the ethics committee.
He expects to be back at the legislature later this spring.
Rowley is the second senator to announce they have cancer this legislative session. Senator Catelin Drey announced in January she was diagnosed with uterine cancer. Drey won her spot in the Iowa Senate in a special election after the passing of Rocky Dewitt from pancreatic cancer.
