Michael Fitzgerald is the longest serving state treasurer in the United States and this November, he’s looking to extend that tenure.

Fitzgerald is the Democrat incumbent running in the state treasurer’s race. In this election, he is being challenged by two other candidates — Libertarian candidate Timothy Hird and Republican candidate Jeremy Davis.

Similar to most political offices, a state treasurer has several important jobs. First and foremost, the treasurer is the lead banker for the entire state of Iowa. Their responsibility is to oversee the financial operations for the state.

“The treasurer invests and reinvests cash balances that maximize earnings,” according to the National Association of State Treasurers. They are the head banker in the entire state and are tasked with monitoring the budget and financial resources.

Each year, the treasurer has to give a report on the financial condition of the state. The reports are only a few pages in length and give the balance of the state’s funds.

Fitzgerald was born in Marshalltown, Iowa and grew up on a family farm outside of State Center. After he graduated from Colo High School, he attended the University of Iowa where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration. His career life began when he worked as a marketing analyst for Massey Ferguson, a tractor-building company for eight years.

Eventually, the opportunity of state treasurer presented itself in 1982 and he took it. Winning the seat, he has remained there to this day, making him the longest serving state treasurer in the United States. He has remained in office despite several waves of elections where his party did not perform favorably.

During his time in office, Fitzgerald has led several projects including Iowa’s 529 College Savings Plan. A 529 plan is typically a college savings plan that offers tax and financial aid benefits for students and their parents.

States across the nation began implementing 592 plans in response to the rising cost of college tuition and the federal government’s transition away from grants toward student loans. This meant that students and their families were becoming increasingly burdened with debt.

Because Iowa’s College Savings plan is tax deductible, it means that money dedicated toward the plan is not taxed and can be invested with 100 percent return.

Fitzgerald was also involved with the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, a program that has returned over $250 million in lost property to Iowa citizens. Beginning in 1983, the plan allows for Iowans to claim property that has either been lost or belonged to a family member to which they are an heir.

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt says, “Unclaimed property includes, but is not limited to, abandoned financial assets such as checking and savings accounts, unpaid wages, securities, life insurance payouts, uncashed checks and the contents of safe deposit boxes that are without activity for a certain period of time.”

The College Savings Plan and the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt are both part of national programs and have bipartisan backing. Because of this, the outcome of whoever is elected will likely not impact these policies.

Editors note: Fitzgerald did not respond to multiple email requests for an interview.