Paul Shomshor

Paul C. Shomshor, Jr. (born April 10, 1967) is a former Iowa State Representative from the 100th District. He served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 2003, when he was elected in a special election, until 2011. He received his BA and MA from Baylor University.

Paul C. Shomshor, Jr.
Member of the Iowa House of Representatives from the 100th district
In office December 12, 2003 – January 9, 2011
Preceded by	Brad Hansen
Succeeded by	Mark Brandenburg
Personal details
Born	(1967-04-10) April 10, 1967 (age 58) Council Bluffs, Iowa
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Council Bluffs, Iowa
Alma mater	Baylor University
Website	Shomshor's website

During his last term in the Iowa House, Shomshor served on the Agriculture, Commerce, and (until November 9, 2009) State Government committees. He also served as the chair of the Ways and Means Committee and as a member of the Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee. His prior political experience includes serving on the Council Bluffs City Council from 1997–2001 and running for the United States House of Representatives in 2002.

Electoral history

In 2002, Shomshor ran for Iowa's 5th congressional district, following the 2002 redistricting and Republican Greg Ganske's decision to leave the House and run for the United States Senate. He lost the election to Republican opponent and then-State Senator Steve King.^[1] He won election to the Iowa House in an August 5, 2003 special election for the vacancy in the 100th District left when Republican Brad Hansen resigned to attend law school.^[2] He won the election, defeating Republican opponent Steve Cates. Shomshor left the house in 2011 after losing re-election in 2010 to Republican Mark Brandenburg.

*incumbent

Election	Political result		Candidate		Party	Votes	%
United States House of Representatives elections, 2002  [3] District 5 Turnout: 182,237		Republican (newly redistricted)		Steve King	Republican	113,257	62.1
				Paul Shomshor	Republican	68,853	37.8
Iowa House of Representatives special election, 2003  [4] District 100 Turnout: 3,995		Democratic gain from Republican		Paul Shomshor	Democratic	2,339	58.5
				Steve Cates	Republican	1,648	41.3
Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2004  [5] District 100 Turnout: 11,187		Democratic hold		Paul Shomshor*	Democratic	6,757	60.4
				Patrick Tarr	Republican	4,406	39.4
Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2006  [6] District 100 Turnout: 6,890		Democratic hold		Paul Shomshor*	Democratic	3,568	51.8
				Scott A. Belt	Republican	3,211	46.6
Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2008  [7] District 100 Turnout: 11,875		Democratic hold		Paul Shomshor*	Democratic	6,208	52.3
				Scott A. Belt	Republican	5,653	47.6
Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2010  [8] District 100 Turnout: 7,156		Republican gain from Democratic		Mark A. Brandenburg	Republican	3,699	51.7
				Paul Shomshor*	Democratic	3,287	45.9