Michael Bergen officially kicks off his campaign for State Assembly

Rural Decorah resident Michael Bergan Tuesday morning officially announced he will be seeking election to the Iowa House in District 55, which includes portions of Clayton, Fayette, and Winneshiek Counties.

Raised on a dairy and beef farm, Bergan is a lifelong resident of Winneshiek County.  He graduated from Decorah High School and earned a B. A. Degree in Accounting and Economics from Luther College.  Bergan began his 32-year career as a tax preparer at the Miller Law Firm where he worked as an office accountant.  In 2005, he assumed duties as the Director of HAWC Partnerships for Children, a program serving four Northeast Iowa counties, supporting children's readiness for school and interventions to protect children from abuse.

Bergan says, "I desire effective state government in providing public safety, infrastructure and education while supporting opportunity for economic growth and development.  I pledge to work diligently to develop solutions to the challenges we face in Iowa."

Bergan served eight years on the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors.  He currently serves on the Iowa Communities Assurance Pool Board.  He was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Iowa Early ACCESS Council, the Iowa State Empowerment Board, and the Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities Commission.  He has also served on numerous area boards including the Northland Area Agency on Aging, the Spectrum Network, the Winneshiek County Solid Waste Agency, Northeast Iowa Behavioral Health, and the Aase Haugen Homes.  Michael and his wife, Carol, have two daughters.