Senator Art Staed

Art Staed is a Democratic state senator representing Iowa Senate District 40, which includes Northwest and Northeast Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Robins. He was born in 1949 in Joplin, Missouri, and is one of eleven children. Staed later relocated to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he resides with his wife Susan. They have four children and seven grandchildren.

Early in his career, Staed taught multiple disciplines including math, science, and social studies to students throughout Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Most recently, he spent 15 years as a Social Studies Facilitator and teacher in Cedar Rapids Community Schools. Beyond his teaching career, Staed and his wife owned and managed Coffee Talk Café, where he hosted "Coffee Talk: Corridor Conversations," a video series featuring discussions with local community leaders about Cedar Rapids area issues. He has also taught courses at Kirkwood Community College and developed workforce training programs with Iowa Workforce Development.

Education

Staed holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri. He earned a Master of Education in Secondary Education from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and a Master of Education in Secondary Administration from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.

Political Experience

Staed was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 2006 and served for 14 years before being elected to his first term in the Iowa Senate in 2024. During his time in the House, he championed several key initiatives, including efforts to provide preschool for all eligible Iowa children, legislation to improve teacher salaries, and expanded charitable programs assisting needy and homeless Iowa veterans. He also supported expanded incentives for small business development, historic preservation tax credits, match funding for recreational trails, and increased Iowa tourism funding.

In the Senate, Staed serves on several standing committees: Appropriations, Ethics, Natural Resources and Environment , and State Government. He also serves as Ranking Member of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee.