Linda L. Upmeyer (born July 23, 1952) is an American politician who served in the Iowa House of Representatives from the 54th district from 2003 to 2021 and as the Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives from 2016 to 2020. She was the first female Speaker in Iowa's history. She received her BSN from the University of Iowa and her MSN from Drake University. On August 19, 2015, Upmeyer was elected by the members of the Iowa House of Representatives Republican majority to serve as the Speaker of the House. Upmeyer's father, Del Stromer, served as Speaker from 1981–82. Upmeyer serves on the Administration and Rules committee in the Iowa House. She is also a member of the Legislative Council. Biography Upmeyer was born in Mason City, Iowa, to Del Stromer and Harriett Ostendorf. She grew up in Garner on the family farm. First elected in 2002, Upmeyer serves as the Majority Leader of the Iowa House of Representatives. She is a cardiology nurse practitioner. She is the National Chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), an organization funded by the Koch brothers and focused on limited government, free markets, and federalism. Electoral history * = incumbent See also List of female speakers of legislatures in the United States References External links Representative Linda Upmeyer official Iowa General Assembly site Financial information (state office) at the National Institute for Money in State Politics Profile at Iowa House Republicans |- |- 1952 births 21st-century American politicians 21st-century American women politicians Drake University alumni Living people People from Clear Lake, Iowa People from Garner, Iowa People from Mason City, Iowa Speakers of the Iowa House of Representatives Republican Party members of the Iowa House of Representatives University of Northern Iowa alumni Women legislative speakers Women state legislators in Iowa