Izaah Knox | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theIowa Senate from the17th district | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Tony Bisignano (redistricting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1977-01-09)January 9, 1977 (age 48) Iowa City, Iowa, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Des Moines, Iowa |
| Education | Ellsworth Community College Kirkwood Community College Drake University Iowa State University |
Izaah JB Knox (born January 9, 1977) is an American politician currently elected as the senator for the17th District of theIowa Senate.
Knox was born inIowa City, Iowa. He grew up betweenCedar Rapids, Iowa andSeattle, WA. He graduated fromCedar Rapids Washington High School, thenDrake University, where he completed a bachelor's degree in public relations and marketing. After working as a life coach and with the Urban Dreams nonprofit organization inDes Moines, Knox returned to Drake, earning a master's degree in organizational leadership and policy studies.[1] He then worked forDes Moines Area Community College, and subsequently pursued doctoral study atIowa State University,[1] eventually returning to Urban Dreams as executive director.[2][3] Knox took over the organization from founderWayne Ford.[4][5]
Knox began his campaign for theIowa Senate in January 2022.[6] Knox defeated Grace Van Cleave in a June 2022Democratic Party primary,[7][8] then won the general election forDistrict 17 againstLibertarian Party candidate ToyA Johnson and political independent Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz.[9][10] Knox is of African-American descent.[11] During the 2022 legislative election cycle, Knox was endorsed byThomas Mann Jr., Iowa's first Black state senator who left office in 1989, Knox is the second Black senator.[12][13]
Knox is married and has three children.[14]
| Iowa Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | 17th District 2023 – present | Succeeded by |