Last (1/8/26) night, Iowa Falls business owner Rocky Damiano held a campaign kickoff event for his Republican primary campaign to challenge State Senator Annette Sweeney for the GOP nomination in Senate District 27. The kickoff event at Timbukbru in Iowa Falls featured a strong lineup of guest speakers, many of whom are vocal advocates for eminent domain reform — a key issue in the campaign.
Speakers included current State Representatives Charley Thomson from House District 58 — covering all of Chickasaw County and parts of Floyd and Bremer Counties, Mark Thompson from House District 56 — representing Hancock, Humboldt and much of Wright County and Samantha Fett of House District 22 — representing part of Warren County. The event also featured former 4th District Congressman Steve King and anti-human trafficking activist Stacy Besch.
Damiano has said he’s running to protect property rights after Governor Kim Reynolds vetoed a bill that would have limited eminent domain for private pipelines. That veto — supported by Sweeney, who said the measure would have restricted more than just CO₂ pipelines — has become a central point of disagreement in the race.
Iowa Senate District 27 covers all of Hardin and Grundy counties, along with Poweshiek County and parts of Black Hawk and Tama counties.
