About the Office
The Office of the Secretary of State holds a unique position in the history of Iowa. The Secretary of State position for the Iowa territory was created by the United States Congress prior to Iowa's statehood. Over the past one and one-half centuries, the office has evolved in its services, but remains dedicated to serving Iowans in all 99 counties.
About the Current Secretary of State
Paul D. Pate of Linn County is the thirty-second Iowan to serve as secretary of state.
| Name | Home County | First Election or Appointment | Years Served |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elisha Cutler Jr. | Van Buren | Oct. 26, 1846 | 1846-1848 |
| Josiah H. Bonney | Van Buren | Aug. 7, 1848 | 1848-1850 |
| George W. McClearly | Louisa | Aug. 5, 1850 | 1850-1856 |
| Elijah Sells | Muscatine | Aug. 4, 1856 | 1856-1863 |
| James Wright | Delaware | Oct. 14, 1862 | 1863-1867 |
| Ed Wright | Cedar | Oct. 9, 1866 | 1867-1873 |
| Josiah T. Young | Monroe | Nov. 5, 1872 | 1873-1879 |
| John A. Tull | Davis | Oct. 8, 1878 | 1879-1885 |
| Frank D. Jackson | Butler | Nov. 4, 1884 | 1885-1891 |
| William M. McFarland | Emmet | Nov. 4, 1890 | 1891-1897 |
| George L. Dobson | Polk | Nov. 3, 1896 | 1897-1901 |
| William B. Partin | Adair | Nov. 6, 1900 | 1901-1907 |
| William C. Hayward | Scott | Nov. 6, 1906 | 1907-1913 |
| William S. Allen | Jefferson | Nov. 5, 1912 | 1913-1919 |
| W.C. Ramsey | Wright | Jul. 1, 1919 | 1919-1928 |
| Ed M. Smith | Madison | Feb. 15, 1928 | 1928-1931 |
| G. C. Greenwalt | Mills | Nov. 4, 1930 | 1931-1933 |
| Ola Babcock Miller | Washington | Nov. 8, 1932 | 1933-1937 |
| Robert E. O'Brian | Woodbury | Jan. 27, 1937 | 1937-1939 |
| Earl G. Miller | Polk | Nov. 8, 1938 | 1939-1943 |
| Wayne N. Ropes | Monona | Nov. 3, 1942 | 1943-1947 |
| Rolo H. Bergeson | Woodbury | Nov. 9, 1946 | 1947-1949 |
| Melvin D. Synhorst | Sioux | Nov. 2, 1948 | 1949-1965 |
| Gary L. Cameron | Jefferson | Nov. 3, 1964 | 1965-1966 |
| Melvin D. Synhorst | Sioux | Nov. 8, 1966 | 1967-1980 |
| Mary Jane Odell | Polk | Nov. 1, 1980 | 1980-1987 |
| Elaine Baxter | Des Moines | Nov. 4, 1986 | 1987-1994 |
| Paul D. Pate | Linn | Nov. 8, 1994 | 1995-1998 |
| Chester J. Culver | Polk | Nov. 3, 1998 | 1999-2006 |
| Michael A. Mauro | Polk | Nov. 7, 2006 | 2007-2010 |
| Matt Schultz | Pottawattamie | Nov. 2, 2010 | 2011-2014 |
| Paul D. Pate | Linn | Nov. 4, 2014 | 2015- |
W.C. Ramsey was appointed to fill vacancy on resignation of William S. Allen.
Mrs. Alex Miller died in January of 1937. Robert E. O'Brien was appointed to fulfill the remainder of the term.
Mary Jane Odell was appointed to fill vacancy on resignation of Melvin D. Synhorst.