IOWA (KCAU) — Iowa State Senator Rocky De Witt passed away after a battle with cancer.

A post made on the De Witt for Iowa Senate Facebook page reads in part, “Rocky De Witt served Woodbury County in two notable public roles: First, he emerged victorious out of a field of several candidates for the Republican nomination for Woodbury County Supervisor in 2016, going on to win the seat on the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors.”

Governor Reynolds issued a statement on Rocky’s passing on behalf of herself and Kevin. She praised Rocky’s dedication to serving his neighbors and constituents.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver sent a press release. Whitver said, “This year he [De Witt] confidently and boldly led on the second passage of a constitutional amendment requiring a supermajority to raise income taxes.”

The Iowa state constitution does not belong to this chamber, it doesn’t belong to the House, it doesn’t belong to the governor, it doesn’t even belong to the State of Iowa. It belongs to the people of this state. It belongs to the citizens of this state, and they have entrusted us to protect that Constitution. Why? It is a barrier between the citizens and government. It’s not a guardrail, not a little lowly speed bump, it’s a barrier that guarantees those folks that voted us in their freedoms, and freedom from excessive taxation is real.

IA State Sen. Rocky De Witt’s closing remarks

Whitver expressed how loved Rocky was and that he will be missed deeply. Whitver finished his statements saying, “He was part of our Senate Republican family, and we mourn with his family just as we would mourn any member of our own.”

Senator De Witt was a supporter of the Second Amendment, a lifetime NRA member, and a federally licensed gun dealer. He was a father and grandfather. Rocky De Witt was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2022, representing Senate District 1.

Amy Sinclair, Senate President, also commented on Rocky’s passing. She remarked about his “common-sense approach and grounded demeanor” and his devotion to serving the people of Senate District 1. She also said that his public service will continue to inspire her.

Senator Sinclair closed her statements saying, “My heart goes out with the deepest condolences to Rocky’s family, friends, and constituents. He will be greatly missed at the Capitol and at home. You are all in my thoughts and prayers as you work through this difficult time.”

Woodbury GOP also released a statement about his passing.

The GOP’s release reads, “The Woodbury GOP regrets to share news of the passing of one of our leaders, the Honorable Rocky L. De Witt, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Woodbury GOP Chairman Bob Henderson reflected on Rocky’s passing, emphasizing his intensity of what he considered to be proper and right. He opened his statement with, “In the world in which we live, it is becoming ever rarer to encounter someone who conducts themselves with little or no pretense. Rocky DeWitt was one of those rare individuals.”

Suzan Stewart, Woodbury GOP Co-Chairwoman, also spoke on his death, saying that he was the type of official the public should aspire to elect. He also praised his common-sense approach.

Woodbury GOP Treasurer Jake Jungers said that he would like to offer his condolences to the family as well. He praised how Rocky didn’t lead by popular opinion alone, but by example as well.

Casaday Loomis, Co-Chairwoman for Woodbury GOP, praised that even in the face of a diagnosis like cancer, Rocky never stopped showing up for others.

The Woodbury GOP release finished saying, “The Woodbury County Republican Party, its Executive Committee, and Central Committee are forever grateful for Rocky De Witt’s service to the people of Iowa, and expresses their deepest condolences to the entire De Witt family that survives him.”

Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner also issued a statement. She her thoughts, and those of her colleagues, are with the De Witt family. She also stated, “Senator De Witt and I may not have agreed on every legislative issue, but I always respected his dedication to work for the people of Iowa, even while battling his illness.”

Senator Rocky De Witt will be missed by the legislation of Iowa.

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