Background
Gronstal, Michael E. was born on January 29, 1950 in Council Bluff, Iowa, United States. Son of Paul L. and Angela E. Gronstal.
Gronstal, Michael E. was born on January 29, 1950 in Council Bluff, Iowa, United States. Son of Paul L. and Angela E. Gronstal.
Graduate, Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio. Attended, Loyola University, Chicago.
He has served since 1985 and is currently the majority leader and chairman of the Rules and Administration committee. He is also chairman of the DLCC, the national organization to elect Democratic state legislators. Gronstal has supported efforts to increase renewable fuels in Iowa and in 2006, Iowa passed the nation’s strongest ethanol legislation in 2006.
In addition, he is working to bring more biotechnology jobs and businesses to Iowa.
Senator Gronstal has supported legislation to increase funding for community colleges and school districts. After the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in favor of gay marriage in the Varnum v.
Brien decision in April 2009, Gronstal blocked a Republican attempt to overturn the Court"s decision with a constitutional amendment. He released a YouTube video in which he quoted his daughter"s statement that opponents of same-sex marriage in Iowa had already lost because her generation does not care about the issue.
Gronstal received his Bachelor of Arts from Antioch College.
Prior to serving in the Senate, he served one term in the Iowa House of Representatives. He also served as the chair of the Pottawattamie County Democratic Party from 1986 to 1988.
Married Connie Meisenbach. Children: Kate, Sara.