Baudler says it’s a ‘practical time’ to retire

GREENFIELD – Following two decades as a state representative, Rep. Clel Baudler (R-Greenfield) announced last week that he will be retiring and not seek re-election when his term expires this year.

Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II, who is best known as the artist for the Freedom Rock Project here in Iowa, has announced he will run to try to fill Baudler’s seat.

Baudler was initially elected to his seat in 1999. He said he dreamed of public service as a child. The son of a cattle buyer/farmer and homemaker, he had high aspirations and wanted to become a fighter pilot off a carrier. When he decided that wasn’t going to work, he chose the route of becoming a state trooper. He was with the Iowa State Patrol for 32 years.

Baudler attended two different country schools north of Fontanelle and then graduated in 1957 from Fontanelle High School. Married to Mary Carole, the couple have four children, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Baudler, who will turn 79 this spring, says his family is one reason he’s retiring.

“I’m no kid anymore and I’ve given 52 1/2 years of public service. That’s probably enough public service for the privilege of living in Iowa, because we have a great state,” Baudler said. “I thought it was a practical time to become a full-time husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.”

Baudler has been a central and active figure in the fight for the second amendment in Iowa. He has also been crucial in the war against illegal drugs and environmental issues. An avid outdoorsman, Baudler plans to remain on the Board of Directors for the National Rifle Association for a few more years, and he shoots as a member of the Iowa State Patrol Pistol and Revolver Team.

“I would say my goal has always been to fight against illegal drugs. That was the biggest goal that I have. I think that with the help of a group of representatives and senators we’ve continued that fight,” Baudler said. “I wanted to protect the second amendment and am very concerned about natural resources. I look at the difference in the second amendment here in Iowa, and what we’ve done in going from a ‘may issue’ to a ‘shall issue’ state, we’ve expanded on that and are trying to put it in the constitution this year. It’d be nice to get that done.”

In a way similar to how he claims it felt like he never had to work a day in his law enforcement career because of how much he enjoyed it, Baudler points to several people he’s encountered in his role at the statehouse who have ensured his time as a state representative has been fulfilling. These people include fellow lawmakers, pages and interns.

“The people I have met, who have been involved in one way or another in government or decision making, it has been outstanding,” Baudler said. “I cannot say enough about the quality and brilliance of some of these representatives and senators. The pages, they come in here as juniors and seniors in high school. They work down there with us and kind of for us. To watch them grow up and move on, many of them go on to be state representatives and senators. To be involved a little bit in their lives and to give them guidance, I’m really going to miss that.”

While he will be running on the Republican side of the aisle, Sorensen feels that, at the state level, there are usually only a few pillar differences between Democrats and Republicans.

“I think sometimes we look at them sometimes too much as football teams. We get on one side and cheer for that side only. I don’t necessarily agree with that, especially at the local level,” Sorensen said. “We’re all similar backgrounds. There are just a few issues people are dead set against and they’ll vote hard line Democrat or hard line Republican. But I want to hear from everybody. I want to represent our constituents fairly.”

Moments after Baudler announced his retirement, Sorensen released a statement announcing his candidacy.

“As Clel’s retirement drew near, my family, my friends, and the powers that be, approached me and asked if I had ever considered running for office. To be honest, I always have,” Sorensen said. “I didn’t know I’d run now in my life, but stuff like this never happens when you’re perfectly ready for it.”