Amos announces bid for State House

By Andy Hallman, Golden Triangle News Service

Mt. Pleasant resident Martin Amos has announced his candidacy Iowa House District 84.

The seat is currently occupied by Republican Dave Heaton of Mt. Pleasant, but Heaton announced earlier this year that he will not seek re-election. The district includes all of Henry County, the northern part of Lee County, the southern part of Washington County and Jefferson County east of Fairfield.

Amos is running for the Republican nomination. He attended Iowa State University in Ames where he earned a Bachelor of Science in hotel, restaurant and institutional management in 1984. He has worked in management from being a kitchen manager to being a corporate manager of sales and distribution, and currently has his own transportation business.

Amos is a fifth-generation Iowan and a Mt. Pleasant resident since 1966. He attended Mt. Pleasant Community Schools, graduating in 1980.

According to a news release from his campaign, ?A strong believer in religious freedom, Martin Amos is a devout Christian. Martin has a servant?s heart, he lives out his faith with action, including missions work in northern Manitoba in 2005.?

Martin has been married to Nancy Amos (Hoover) for over 35 years, they have a daughter, Janeane.

Amos explained why he is seeking elected office:

?I love Iowa and I love this country,? he began. ?I thank my parents for instilling in me the virtues of liberty, a strong faith in God, and the ideals of the American dream. I want that for everyone. Over time, these principles have guided me through successes and sustained me through life?s tragedies. I?m very fortunate. For many years, there have been individuals, both in and out of government, that have actively tried to curtail our rights, trample on our freedoms, and stifle economic opportunities. I can?t sit idly by. My desire is to restore freedoms and promote economic prosperity for us and our posterity. That?s why I?m running.?