Former Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver gave an emotional retirement speech on the Senate floor, thanking his family for supporting him as he continues receiving treatment for a brain tumor.
Whitver, a Republican from Grimes, was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2011 and became majority leader in 2018, leading Senate Republicans’ agenda under the GOP’s trifecta control of Iowa’s state government.
He announced in May 2024 that he was receiving treatment for a brain tumor, and in September 2025 he said he would step down as Senate majority leader and retire when his term concludes at the end of this year.
In his retirement speech on April 20, Whitver thanked his family, including his three children, “for putting up with the time it takes to be a legislator — the door knocking, the parades, the meetings, constant phone calls.”
And he thanked his wife, Rachel, who he said “works so hard” at her job and wasn’t able to attend his speech.
“I want to thank her and I want to say I couldn’t have done any of this without her — which she’d probably say, ‘no kidding,'” Whitver said. “But it’s true, I couldn’t have.”
“So I really want to thank Rachel. She is unbelievably patient, understanding and supportive and I can’t imagine having a better partner on this journey with me, even during the last two years,” he added, lowering the microphone as he grew emotional and wiped his face with his hand.
“I’ve got allergies,” he joked. “The allergies are really kicking up. Geez.”
Breaking into sobs, Whitver said his wife has been “my rock” for the last two years.
“She has researched every option and opportunity to help me tackle my health journey,” he said. “I’ll never be able to repay her, only to say I love her so much.”
He also praised his staff, saying “how we work under the dome, nothing is ever done by one person. It takes a solid team working together.”
And he thanked his fellow senators, saying “I consider everyone in here a friend.”
“Thank you again for your friendship, your support, your words of encouragement. It really does make a difference. So keep up the good work. This is important work that we do here,” he said, choking up. “This is important work that we do here, but I know we’ve left it in good hands.”
Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on X at @sgrubermiller.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Jack Whitver gives emotional retirement speech on Iowa Senate floor
Reporting by Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
