DAVENPORT, Iowa — Former U.S. Rep. Jim Leach has died, according to statements shared by several Iowa politicians. He was 82 years old.
Leach, a Davenport native, served in Congress as a Republican from 1977 to 2007. Ahead of the 2022 election, he broke from his former party and registered as a Democrat.
Iowa politicians from across the aisle are sharing their memories of Leach.
In a post shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Leach was a career public servant:
"Congressman Jim Leach was a leader who served with integrity and honor. It was a privilege to get to know him over the last few years. Our prayers are with his family," Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand said in a statement.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks also shared her condolences in a statement posted to X: