Endorsements.
I am proud to receive the support of so many citizens and community leaders in my bid to become Iowa State Senator for District 17. These people know me, and they know my passion for helping our community grow and our families prosper. Please connect with me if you have any questions about my campaign or aspirations for Iowa.
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Stay Tuned - More exciting endorsements coming soon!
Rob Barron
City Councilman-elect
Ward 1
I'm proud to support Samy El-Baroudi for Senate. I enjoyed working with him when I was on the school board and he was a teacher. I'm grateful for his advocacy and commitment to our DMPS youth and in the River Bend Neighborhood! Samy is just the kind of fighter and advocate we need at the Legislature.
Sami Scheetz
Linn County Supervisor
Former IA Rep District 78
I’m proud to endorse Samy in his campaign for the Iowa Senate. As an educator, union member, and longtime labor activist, he has been a tireless champion for working people and for strengthening our public schools. Samy also shares our deep mutual commitment to Iowa’s Arab American community, and his advocacy for inclusion and representation has made a real difference. I know he will help turn our state around and ensure that working families, immigrants, and educators have a strong voice at the Capitol.
Anne Cross
DMPS Science Teacher
President - Des Moines Education Association
I am proud to endorse Samy El-Baroudi for Iowa Senate. Samy is a fierce advocate for public schools, students, their families, and community. He is a veteran educator with Des Moines Public Schools and Union Leader the Des Moines Education Association. As his future constituent, I could not ask for a better legislator representing my family.
Ethan Olson​
DMPS Instructional Coach
I’m proud to endorse my friend Samy El-Baroudi. His years as an educator and union representative have given him a grounded understanding of our community—its students, families, and the professionals who serve them every day. Samy is someone who listens carefully, seeks to understand, and speaks with integrity. I believe he will bring that same commitment to representing our community.
Wayne Bauman
Retired Educator
I support Samy for the State Senate because we need a strong voice for our students and children. Public Education needs to be restored to the preeminent place it once held in the nation.
Ben Muller
Director of Student Services
Ankeny Community Schools
I had the experience of working with Mr. El-Baroudi as an adjunct professor while he was pursuing an administrative degree. From the very beginning, Samy portrayed leadership characteristics, such as positivity, solution focused and a desire to do what is best for students and adults. From my perspective, I could see other graduate students turn to Samy and look for his knowledge through his experiences as a veteran educator. I recall a dialogue where Samy definitely asserted his opinion but was openly seeking others' perspectives because their experiences were different from his. His "seek to understand and then be understood," was very evident. He is an advocate for public education, wanting to do what is best for the educational profession while knowing that change will occur.
Rosie Cam Grieg
BSN, RN
Former Student
I am proud to offer my full and enthusiastic endorsement of Samy El-Baroudi for the
Iowa Senate. I have known El-Baroudi for 17 years and have seen the difference and
impact he has made in our metro Des Moines area communities.
Samy has spent his career serving others—as a teacher, mentor, and coach—and that
spirit of service defines who he is as a leader. He has always cared deeply for his
community and for the people within it, especially the students whose lives he has
helped shape. His commitment goes far beyond the classroom or the field; it is rooted in
a genuine belief that strong communities are built through education, opportunity, and
mutual respect.
Throughout his career, Samy has been a consistent advocate for public education and
for the teachers who make it possible. He also understands the importance of
supporting entrepreneurs and local businesses, recognizing that they are essential to a
thriving economy. His ability to connect with people from all walks of life allows him to
listen thoughtfully and lead with purpose.
What truly sets Samy apart is his character. He values collaboration, fairness, and
respect, and he approaches every conversation as a chance to learn and work toward
common ground. These qualities are exactly what we need in the Iowa Senate.
I am confident that Samy El-Baroudi will serve with integrity, compassion, and a strong
commitment to the people of Iowa. I wholeheartedly support his candidacy and
encourage others to do the same.
Josh Lemon
Former Student
I was fortunate enough to have Samy El-Baroudi for Economics and Personal Finance classes at East High School over a decade ago. Now working in the Des Moines business community, I believe those two classes were the most impactful on my personal life and career. In fact, I believe our education system should place greater emphasis on those skill sets. I know Samy to be a good person and an educator with a proven history of dedication to Des Moines. I’m happy to offer my support and vote in 2026 and look forward to having a teacher in the Iowa Senate!
B John Burns
Writer and Singer/Songwriter
I’ve known Samy El-Baroudi for over twenty years. Samy is personable, principled and extremely articulate on the issues. He is the type of representation we need desperately for Iowa.
Connie Boesen
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I first met Samy when he was a teacher at East High. I served as President of the East High PTA and saw firsthand his dedication to his students and to the school community.
He has shown that same commitment and dedication to the community he lives in with
the volunteer work he has done.
I know he will make a great addition to the Iowa Senate
with his understanding of the needs of schools and local communities .
Maria Alonzo
Des Moines School Board
At-Large
I’m proud to endorse Samy El-Baroudi for the Iowa Senate. As an immigrant and dedicated teacher, he understands the importance of strong public schools, opportunity for working families, and respecting individual rights.
He will fight for quality education, stand up for the middle class, and take a thoughtful, responsible approach to issues that affect personal and family decisions. Samy brings the values, experience, and commitment Iowa needs. I’m honored to support him.
Rev. Dr. Frantz Whitfield
Social Justice Activist & Faith Leader
I met Samy almost 30 years ago as a student at Des Moines East High School. He was one of the rare educators that worked hands on with students, and took the time to focus on their needs, and what mattered to them most. That’s the kind of leader we need in the Iowa Senate. A leader who will put Iowans best interests at heart. Today I officially endorse my friend, and one who helped shape my life for the better.
Sheila Brown
DMPS Associate Principal
Samy El-Baroudi is a tireless advocate for our students and for our community. He consistently holds high expectations for students and makes learning meaningful for everyone. Samy pushes us all to grow to better support the next generation. I am confident that Samy will continue to be a strong voice for our students and our schools! I'm proud to have worked with Samy for the past five years and endorse him for Iowa Senate!
Stephanie Fowler
Public Educator and Administrator
Samy is an amazing educator and leader! He has the qualities and personality to represent the people of District 17 in the Iowa Senate. I fully endorse Samy in his candidacy, and it will be a great honor to call him Senator El-Baroudi along with Mr. El-Baroudi, the great public educator.
Claire Orlando
DMPS Teacher
Samy is a committed educator who works for kids and teachers. He is my union representative where he is solutions oriented and a bridge builder. Our teachers and students will be lucky to have him advocating for us at the state senate!
Jake Atkins
Former Student
I’ve known Samy for over 20 years, and believe he will be a great choice to represent the people of this city.
We first met when he was my high school business/economics teacher at East High. He stood out as one of the few educators I had that actually seemed to care about the future of his students, not just getting to the next bell. Maybe that was the curriculum he wrote, teaching us about finances in a life after high school. Or maybe it’s just who he is as a person, always caring more about those around him than himself.
In a school as big as East High, it’s easy to feel overlooked. But in Mr. El-Baroudi’s classroom, we all mattered.
He listened to us when no one else had time to, and stopped what he was doing to make sure all of our voices were heard.
Samy and I have stayed close since I graduated in 2006 and I can confidently say that as your Senator he would treat you the same way he treated all of us.
Carl McPherson
Community Activist
He walks, he talks, he lives the issues that mean so very much to those of us who reside in Iowa Senate District 17.
Samy understands what is important and has been in the trenches advocating for us. As an educator and advocate for the past 30 years, his activism has demonstrated his deep understanding of and passion for improving conditions regarding education, health care, housing, economic hardships, inadequate pay, and human rights. Samy believes strongly in diversity and inclusivity and will not accept the status quo. Samy has shown the fighting spirit to demand changes for the better. Samy will work tirelessly to serve us in the Senate. Samy listens! I'm asking you to support and vote for Samy El-Baroudi
Endi Montalvo-Martinez,
Community Leader
Iowa needs change. That’s why I’m proud to endorse Samy El-Baroudi for Iowa Senate. Samy is a public educator and truly understands the community he seeks to represent. Samy believes in an Iowa that works for everyone, and I trust him to lead that fight.
RuthAnn Gaines
IA House Representative
District 33
I have known and worked with Samy El-Baroudi for nearly 30 years. Sam is a hard worker and knows what the people in his district need. He ran a very successful campaign 2 years ago for House of Representatives which proved that he will be a great Senator. I really look forward to working with him as we collaborate to make this state #1. I’m proud to endorse Samy El-Baroudi and can’t wait to have him as my senator!
Anna Campos
East Des Moines community member, Mother and Advocate
As a former student of Sami El-Baroudi, and now as a community leader, mother, and advocate for our schools, I am proud to endorse him for the Iowa Senate. His influence on my life began in the classroom, but it did not end there. He has always been the kind of educator who sees the potential in young people, believes in their future, and helps them find their voice. Those are the same qualities we need representing us at the Capitol. In a time when so many decisions about our schools are made without the voices of those most affected, we need a leader who will speak for us and speak with us. I believe Samy is that leader.
Ben Graeber
DMPS Principal
Samy is one of the most authentic and hard-working individuals I know. His decades of teaching and serving the Des Moines community demonstrate where his heart is. He believes in making the world a better place, one relationship at a time.
I know that Samy will pour his heart into this position -- serving the 17th District.
As a resident of the 17th, I look forward to having Samy represent this community. He will be a voice for those who need it the most.
Justin Smith
East High School Social Studies Teacher
I’m proud to endorse Samy El‑Baroudi for the Iowa State Senate. I worked with Samy for several years at East High School, where he consistently demonstrated deep care for student success and well‑being. As a longtime educator, Samy has been a champion for helping others, serving both the Des Moines Education Association and the Iowa State Education Association to support fellow educators and advocate for students’ needs. Iowa needs leaders like Samy who listen, lead with compassion, and put students and communities first
Kalyn Cody
Former DMPS School Board
Former Teacher/DMEA
Samy is a leader who cares deeply about people and communities, with a particular emphasis on our schools, students, and teachers. He is a true collaborator who will enthusiastically represent us in the Iowa Senate.
Ken Burgess
DMPS Teacher
I have known Samy since 1996 or 1997, when he arrived at East
High School as a Business Teacher. He immediately became a strong member of our staff and a student favorite. He has been a good friend of mine.
He has always been about improvement of student outcomes and school improvement. He was always someone that students
would come to work with on school activities or school projects. He took on Staff Leadership positions. He has been a great listener and a hard worker. He always wanted to lead our school to be the best.
Samy has also taken on new challenges like earning his Master's Degree and taking on a Virtual Learning Platform for Des Moines Schools. If he needed to learn about a problem, he worked hard to understand all sides and some of the complexities involved.
He has always been about where his feet are.
He would be a great choice for Senate District 17.
Rebecca Phondeth
Former Student, Entrepreneur, Local Iowa Business Owner
​I met Samy as an economics student when he taught at East High School. Back then, he led his classrooms with candor, charisma, and a mutual respect for his students that immediately earned the attention of myself and my peers. Most memorable was his dedication to listen to his students, see things from their perspective, and work with them when he could. After I graduated and got to know him as an adult, I find those traits to be true to his character still. I have watched him fight injustice in the school system time and again, and I was completely unsurprised to learn he hopes to serve his community in a new way. Samy is passionately pro human and civil rights, and I believe his no-nonsense attitude and ability to command authority through respect of his fellow human beings will serve him well in defending District 17. He is not afraid to be loud and stand up for what is right, and we need more of that in Iowa's leaders.
Dave Miglin
Broadlawns Trustee
I've known Samy for several years as an advocate for public education and accessible healthcare; two priority issues to me personally. If elected, I'm 100% confident that Samy will work with his fellow legislators to develop policies that protect and adequately fund these two core areas in Polk County and across our state.
Kathy Hellstern
Neighborhood Leader
​I believe in Samy’s ability to translate the needs of his neighbors into action in the state
senate. His experience as an educator will help put Iowa back on track to make smart
educational choices. He cares about his district, he cares about Des Moines and he cares about a bright future for every Iowan.