Shawn Ellerbroek

Shawn Ellerbroek is the Democratic candidate for Iowa House of Representatives District 57 in the November 3, 2026 general election, running against incumbent Republican Pat Grassley.[1][3] A professor and cancer researcher who sits on the Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District school board, he said his priorities include water quality, a balanced state budget, rural public education and affordable healthcare.[1][2]

Shawn Ellerbroek was born in Cherokee, Iowa, and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa in 1995 and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University in 2000.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, he described himself as a biochemistry professor with more than two decades of experience and a career in cancer research, and as a life-long Iowan who raised three children in Waverly with his wife, Angie.[2]

Ellerbroek has served on the Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District school board, representing District 2, since 2023; his current term ends in 2027.[1] His survey said he served as president of that board.[2] He was the Democratic nominee for Iowa House District 57 in 2024, when he lost to incumbent Republican Pat Grassley, 7,180 votes (39.7 percent) to 10,869 (60.2 percent).[1]

Ellerbroek said in the survey that his key messages concern water quality and its link to cancer rates, and concern about the state's budget following the 3.8 percent flat income tax.[2] He listed health and the budget as the areas of public policy he is most passionate about.[2]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.