Barb Kniff McCulla

Barbara Kniff McCulla^[a] (born 1956) is an American politician and entrepreneur who has represented the 37th district in the Iowa House of Representatives since January 2023, which consists of most of Marion County, parts of southern Jasper County and parts of western Mahaska County. She is a member of the Republican Party.^[1]

Barb Kniff McCulla
Member of the Iowa House of Representatives from the 37th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 9, 2023
Preceded by	Jon Thorup
Personal details
Born	1956 (age 68–69) Michigan, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Greg
Children	4
Education	William Penn University (BA)
Occupation	Small business owner

Early life

Kniff McCulla was born in 1956 in Michigan, where she was raised. She received a bachelor's degree from William Penn University.^[1]

Political career

Kniff McCulla announced her candidacy for the 37th district of the Iowa House of Representatives following decennial redistricting in 2021. Endorsed by Governor Kim Reynolds,^[2] she defeated incumbent Jon Thorup^[b] in the Republican primaries on June 7, 2022, with over 70 percent of the vote. She defeated Democrat Mike Overman in the general election on November 8 with over 74 percent of the vote. She assumed office on January 9, 2023.^[3]

Kniff McCulla serves on the Commerce, Economic Growth and Technology, Health and Human Services, Labor and Workforce, and Ways and Means committees, the lattermost of which she is the vice chair.^[4]

In March 2024, Kniff McCulla announced that she is running for reelection.^[5] She won the Republican primaries unopposed on June 4, 2024, and will run in the general election unopposed on November 5, 2024.^[3]

Kniff McCulla has said that her priorities include economic growth and small business. She supports school choice and opposes abortion.^[6]

Personal life

Kniff McCulla has a husband, Greg, four children, and 12 grandchildren. She resides in Pella, Iowa. She is a former Sunday school teacher and owns a construction company.^[1]

Electoral history

* = incumbent

Election	Political result		Candidate		Party	Votes	%
Iowa House of Representatives Republican primary elections, 2022  [3] District 37 Turnout: 3,868		Republican (newly redistricted)		Barb Kniff McCulla	Republican	2,715	70.2
				Jon Thorup*	Republican	1,150	29.7
				Other/Write-in votes		3	0.1
Iowa House of Representatives general elections, 2022  [3] District 37 Turnout: 14,196		Republican (newly redistricted)		Barb Kniff McCulla	Republican	10,593	74.6
				Mike Overman	Democratic	3,591	25.3
				Other/Write-in votes		12	0.1

Notes

1. The surname is Kniff McCulla
2. Thorup was redistricted into the 37th district during his term in 2021; he had previously been representing district 28