Longtime Iowa Congressman Jim Leach dies at 82

In a political environment marked by partisanship, former US Rep. Jim Leach, who died this week, pushed back on his party’s acceptance of Trumpism.

Jim Leach died at 82, leaving behind a long career in public service. Born and raised in Davenport, Iowa, Leach served 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1977 to 2007.

Over the course of his career, Leach bucked the party establishment. He was one of six House Republicans who voted against authorizing military force in Iraq in 2002 and played a critical role in financial oversight, including investigating the Whitewater scandal during the Clinton administration.

Leach broke from the Republican Party in 2008 by endorsing Barack Obama for president. He formally changed his political affiliation to Democratic in 2022, citing the Capitol insurrection of January 6, 2021, as a critical turning point.

Leach’s most significant and controversial legislative contribution was the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, which dramatically deregulated US banking.

After losing his seat in Congress to Democrat Dave Loebsack, then-President Barack Obama appointed him to chair the National Endowment for the Humanities from 2009 to 2013.

Loebsack wrote on X, “ He was principled and thoughtful, so much so that he ran afoul of his own party leadership on several issues.”

State Auditor Rob Sand said in a statement, “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.”

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley wrote on X, “I served w him for many yrs & he was a friend He served the ppl of Iowa well Barbara & I are praying for his family.”

In a post on X, U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks said Leach was “a true statesman who represented Iowa in Congress for 30 years and was known for his bipartisan efforts.”

U.S. Rep Ashley Hinson wrote on X, Leach “dedicated his life to serving Iowans & reaching across the aisle. My prayers are with his family during this time.”