One day after Sen. Johnie Hammond, D-Ames, announced her retirement from the Iowa Senate, City Councilman Herman Quirmbach announced his state senate candidacy Wednesday morning.

Quirmbach, ISU associate professor of economics, will face State Rep. Barbara Finch, R-Ames, for the reapportioned District 23 seat in the November 2002 election.

Quirmbach, a Democrat from Ames, started by praising Hammond for being a role model. He said she “will be a tough act to follow. I will try my best.”

As a City Council member, Quirmbach was an advocate for education, human services and the environment. He said he wants to continue his focus on these issues into the senate race.

“We must ensure that kids get a good start in life in a supportive family environment,” he said. “That’s why I’m a teacher. That’s why I teach at Iowa State. That’s why I so strongly support quality education in K-12, the community colleges and the state universities.”

Quirmbach said he supports Gov. Tom Vilsack’s efforts to strengthen education, but he worries “dramatic tuition increases are pricing our state universities out of the reach of moderate-income families. We have to support education at all levels.”

Human services are not limited to just kids, he said. The community has an obligation to help people who can’t help themselves, including families, senior citizens and the disabled.

He cited Hallett’s Quarry and College Creek as areas he has helped improve and said it’s important to protect the environment.

Although Quirmbach hasn’t served at the state level, Finch said anyone who puts in hard work is qualified for the job of state senator.

“Herman has experience in the City Council at Ames and as a professor at ISU, so he has a good background,” she said. “He’s active in the community, so I can understand his desire to run.”

Quirmbach has served for six years as a council member and said he will put teaching and the City Council ahead of his campaign.

“I have very much enjoyed being on the City Council,” he said. “It’s one of the best experiences in my life. I hate to give it up, but I can’t choose my preferences in politics all the time.”

If Quirmbach is elected to the Senate, he would resign from the City Council, Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco said.

Tedesco said he would hate to lose him.

“[Quirmbach] wouldn’t let the campaign get in the way,” Tedesco said.

“He is a very conscientious councilperson. His past experiences have prepared him so he can handle the job.”

The City Council has prepared Quirmbach for the state senate, he said.

“It really puts me in touch with the community who I will then represent,” Tedesco said.

Nobody gets the election handed to him, but Quirmbach said he expects to earn it. Finch is an energetic and aggressive campaigner and he said he expects a challenge.

Finch said she will let the voters decide who is best for the job. She doesn’t run against candidates, Finch said, but she runs to offer opportunities to her constituents.

“I will let the constituents decide what issues are important,” she said. “Our agenda should be what is best for the district. I will see what the people want from us and how we react to their requests.”