Janet Petersen is a Democratic state senator representing District 18 in the Iowa Senate, which includes areas like Beaverdale, Merle Hay, downtown, and Raccoon River in Des Moines. Born on August 1, 1970, in Beaverdale, Iowa, she resides in Des Moines with her husband, Brian Pattinson, and has two children. She is serving her fourth term in the Iowa Senate after six terms in the Iowa House of Representatives. Notable achievements include being the first woman elected as Iowa Senate Democratic Leader , sponsoring Iowa's Smokefree Air Act, advancing domestic abuse prevention and sexual violence survivor laws, and founding the nonprofit Healthy Birth Day, Inc., whose Count the Kicks campaign reduced Iowa's stillbirth rate by 32% overall and 39% among Black families. She also chaired the Midwest Legislative Conference in 2017, hosting over 500 legislators from Midwestern states and Canadian provinces. Petersen serves as Ranking Member on Appropriations and Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capitals Appropriations Subcommittee, with additional roles on Commerce, Government Oversight, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, Ways and Means, and Ethics committees.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: B.A. in Communications and Public Relations from the University of Northern Iowa; M.A. in Integrated Communications from Drake University.
• Political Experience: Iowa House Representative ; Iowa Senate ; Democratic Leader, Iowa Senate ; Chairwoman, Midwest Legislative Conference .