DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa State Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, D-Des Moines, is retiring from the Iowa legislature this year.
The 72-year-old longtime lawmaker who currently represents District 34 said it's time to focus on his personal life.
"I've been through a lot of pain, a lot of joy," Abdul-Samad said. "It has been an perpetual emotional roller coaster on steroids, but now it's time for me to build my life."
As the CEO of Creative Visions, a community development organization, Abdul-Samad is known as a strong advocate against violence and a champion for equality within the Des Moines community.
“Ako’s nearly two decades of service for the state of Iowa is nothing short of remarkable," said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart in a statement. "He leads with compassion and empathy and he truly cares about his constituents, which is something Iowans appreciate and why he has been reelected to serve his community so many times."
Although his commitment to Des Moines remains unwavering, Abdul-Samad believes it's time for the next generation of leadership to pick up where he's leaving off.
"That doesn't mean I'm leaving the community, that just means I'm leaving this building, but I also need to make room for young people to start taking the hand," he said.
After this year, you won't see his face as often at the state capitol, but that doesn't mean you wont see him in the community
"I will always love you, we'll always be with you, and if you remember anything, I am your servant," Abdul-Samad said.