Ed O'Neill for senate

I knew this year would be an interesting year in politics. This just in...Al Bundy is running for the Iowa senate. Hit it, Ol' blue eyes...

Oh, actually it's not THAT Ed O'Neill. It's THIS Ed O'Neill (he's the one of the left).

Ed O’Neill of Clinton, an economic development leader and community volunteer, filed his nominating petitions this week with the Iowa Secretary of State, making his run at the Iowa Senate from District 13 official. Senate District 13 covers all of Jackson County, the northern half of Clinton County, including the city of Clinton; and part of southern Dubuque County. O’Neill is running to succeed State Senator Roger Stewart, who is not seeking re-election in 2010.

“I’m running for the Iowa Senate because middle class families and small business owners in Senate District 13 need a strong voice in the Iowa Senate,” O’Neill said. “For too long, big corporations and the special interests have been getting too much attention from our leaders and I’m going to stand up and fight to ensure that working Iowans have access to better jobs, better schools, better health care and better opportunities.”

O’Neill, a Democrat, worked in eastern Iowa and western Illinois for many years, including working for the Clinton Regional Development Corporation, where he focused his energy on the creation and retention of high-wage jobs. He also was previously a small business owner, police officer and prison guard, and a finance and lease manager.

“We’ve got many challenges facing us today,” O’Neill said. “We’re just starting to rebound from the national economic recession and many people are out of work and struggling to make ends meet. Solving these economic challenges will require listening and reaching out to anyone with an idea about how to move Iowa’s economy forward. That’s what I did with Clinton Regional Development; it’s what I’ve done as a small business owner and as an active member of my community, and that’s the positive approach I will take to the Iowa Senate.”

O’Neill has also served as a member of the Clinton City Council and Hancock County (Illinois) Board of Supervisors. He has been active in various community activities, including serving as a board member of the Prince of Peace Academy School Board and attending Prince of Peace Catholic Church.

He has been married to Diane O’Neill for 40 years. They have lived for 20 years in the same house in Clinton, where they raised their son Shawn and Daughter Michele. They also have two grandchildren, Josie and Ian.

O’Neill said he looks forward to talking personally with as many voters as possible.
“I’m going to knock as many doors in Senate District 13 as I can,” said O’Neill. “And I hope to speak with as many people as possible. But anyone with an idea or a concern for District 13 is welcome to call me at (563) 212-3905. You can also email me at eoneill4senate@yahoo.com.”