Aaron Hinnah announces campaign for Iowa House District 88

OSKALOOSA — Aaron Hinnah, a lifelong Iowan, farmer, educator, and small business owner, is announcing his candidacy as a Republican for Iowa House District 88, representing Mahaska, Keokuk, and Jefferson counties.

Hinnah said his decision to run is rooted in family, service, and a commitment to listening first.

“I am running not for power or prestige, but out of love,” Hinnah said. “Love for my wife and children, love for our schools, love for our farmers and small businesses, and love for the communities that shaped me growing up in Keokuk County and that I now call home in Mahaska County. Leadership is sacrifice, not spotlight. I am ready to serve.”

Hinnah is a professor of sport management at William Penn University and previously spent nearly a decade in teacher preparation, helping bring the federally funded Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship (TPRA) grant program to the university. The program has supported the development of licensed teachers now serving rural schools across the region.

He also serves as vice president of the Oskaloosa Community School District Board of Directors and is a board member of the Mahaska County Farm Bureau. In addition, he and his wife, Emily, own and operate Hinnah Tree Service in Oskaloosa. Aaron and Emily are parents to four children: AJ, Ellianah, Mayah, and Mikayah, who attend Oskaloosa Schools.

“I know firsthand the pressures families are facing,” Hinnah said. “From rising property taxes to the cost of child care, to the uncertainty farmers face in today’s markets, these are not abstract policy debates for us. They are kitchen-table realities.”

Hinnah’s campaign will focus on five core areas:

Education and Workforce Development: A strong supporter of public education and local school boards, Hinnah says Iowa must address the teacher pipeline shortage and expand career and technical pathways in addition to four-year degrees. He supports partnerships with institutions such as Indian Hills Community College and William Penn University to prepare students for real-world success.

Agriculture and Rural Iowa: A lifelong farmer who continues to work in his family’s operation in Keokuk County, Hinnah said rural voices must be better represented in Des Moines. He supports policies that strengthen farm succession, protect Iowa farmland, and ensure young farmers have a pathway to succeed. According to Iowa Farm Bureau data, approximately 64% of Iowa farmers age 35 and younger hold primary employment off the farm, underscoring the financial pressures facing the next generation.

Families and Child Care: Hinnah points to Iowa’s child care shortage as both an economic and educational issue. His wife, a former special education teacher, left the classroom when the cost of child care outweighed her salary. “When we lose great teachers because families cannot afford child care, that is a policy problem,” he said.

Small Business and Fiscal Responsibility: As a small-business owner, Hinnah said he understands the importance of responsible budgeting. He supports transparent government spending and tax policies that balance fiscal responsibility with maintaining quality public services. “We all want lower taxes,” he said. “But we also expect safe roads, strong schools, and reliable local services. We must find the responsible middle ground.”

Listening and Servant Leadership: Hinnah says his approach to leadership is grounded in humility and collaboration. “The best skill a representative can have is the ability to listen,” he said. “Too many elected officials arrive thinking they have all the answers. I plan to listen, learn, and work with people across District 88 to find practical solutions.”

Hinnah says his experience in agriculture, education, coaching, and small business has prepared him for the role.

“Farming teaches resilience. Coaching teaches teamwork. Running a business teaches accountability. Serving on a school board teaches you that every decision impacts children, teachers, and taxpayers,” he said. “All of those experiences have prepared me to serve this community.”

District 88 includes communities throughout Mahaska, Keokuk, and Jefferson counties.

“I believe we need a representative who understands common problems because they have lived them,” Hinnah said. “I will always put people over politics and solutions over optics. I am ready to work.”

More information about Hinnah’s campaign is available at www.hinnahforiowa.com you can also reach Aaron at HinnahforIowa@gmail.com