Representative Dean Fisher

Dean C. Fisher was born on September 3, 1956, in Garwin, Iowa, in Tama County. He is a fifth-generation Iowan who was raised on a farm, instilling in him what he describes as strong farm work ethic and common sense Iowa values. Fisher is a lifelong resident of the region and currently lives in Montour, Iowa, with his wife Vicki.

Before entering politics, Fisher spent 26 years in the electronics industry, from 1978 to 2004, working as an engineer, engineering manager, and business manager. He held positions at several companies including Qwint Systems, IO Vision, and Autotech, and spent 18 years at Motorola in the Automotive Electronics division, where he designed and manufactured complex electronic products ranging from point-of-sale terminals to automotive electronics.

In 2004, Fisher returned to farming and operated a cow-calf operation with his brother. He currently maintains a small Christmas tree farm. He is a member of the National Rifle Association and a charter member of the American Motorcycle Association.

Education

Fisher graduated from South Tama Community High School in 1975. He earned a Bachelor of Electronics Engineering Technology from DeVry Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois, in 1978.

Political Experience

Fisher entered politics in 2012 and has been serving as a Republican State Representative for Iowa House District 53 since 2013. He is currently serving his fifth term representing Tama and Poweshiek counties.

Prior to his legislative service, Fisher held several local positions: he served as Indian Village Township Clerk from 2008 to 2013, worked as a precinct election chairman, and served as chair of the Tama County Republican Party from 2010 to 2011. He was also appointed to the Tama County Pioneer Cemetery Board.

In the Iowa House, Fisher chairs the Environmental Protection Committee and serves on the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Public Safety committees. As a legislator, he has championed tax reduction initiatives, strongly supporting a cut to the state income tax to a flat 3.8% and advocating for reductions in property tax growth. In 2019, he blocked the Farm System Reform Act from being heard.

Additionally, in January 2024, Fisher founded Tama Toledo Christian School, a private Christian institution that opened in August 2025. The school's funding model through Coverdell education savings accounts prompted an ethics complaint filed with the Chief Clerk of the House regarding potential conflicts of interest.