UPDATE: Roger Thomas files nomination papers

(Left to right): Iowa Secretary of State official Mary Mosiman with State Representative Roger Thomas of Elkader

Democratic State Representative Roger Thomas of Elkader has filed nomination papers to run in the new House District 55, which includes Winneshiek, Fayette and Clayton Counties.

Thomas is currently serving his seventh term in the Iowa House.  Because of reapportionment, he will seek re-election in a redrawn district, facing the winner of September's Republican Party primary between Spillville mayor Michael Klimesh and Decorah resident Dustin Noble.

Said Thomas after filing nomination papers, "I will continue to be an advocate for rural Iowa by promoting a prosperous agricultural climate and expanding new ways to improve economic development opportunities."

Thomas is the Elkader Economic Development/Main Street Elkader Director.  Thomas graduated from Upper Iowa University in Fayette with a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration. In recent years, Roger was a business consultant for Iowa Workforce Development in Decorah.