State Rep. Mike Sexton will be in a key leadership role in the Iowa House of Representatives when lawmakers return to the Capitol in January for the new legislative session. His GOP colleagues in that chamber have selected him as assistant majority leader. He is one of four assistant majority leaders.

“I am honored and humbled to be elected by my peers to serve as an assistant leader for our caucus,” Sexton told The Messenger last week. “I am excited for the upcoming session where House Republicans will continue to create job opportunities, reduce burdensome regulations on Iowa businesses and balance the budget by spending less than the state collects.”

The next legislative session could prove to be one of the most important in years. The GOP won control of both the Senate and House in this year’s general election. Consequently, the stage has been set for Gov. Terry Branstad to set forth an agenda that has a good chance of being passed. This will be the first time since Branstad reclaimed the governorship in the 2010 election that Republicans will be in the majority in both houses. Sexton is poised to help make the upcoming session highly productive.

Sexton is an experienced legislator. He was elected to the House in 2014 and re-elected this year. He chaired the Senate Natural Resources Committee during his earlier service in that chamber. As a business owner and farmer he brings to the Legislature broad knowledge of the challenges facing Iowa’s economy as the 21st century unfolds.

The Messenger congratulates Mike Sexton on being chosen for this new role. We are delighted that this talented legislator will be undertaking broader responsibilities in the House. He is exceptionally well qualified for this important leadership job.