James Riordan (Iowa politician)

James Richard Riordan II (December 31, 1949 – August 14, 2022) was an American politician.

James Riordan
Member of the Iowa Senate from the 39th district
In office January 11, 1993 – January 8, 1995
Preceded by	William D. Palmer
Succeeded by	Jo Ann Douglas
Member of the Iowa Senate from the 45th district
In office September 10, 1985 – January 10, 1993
Preceded by	Norman Rodgers
Succeeded by	Bill Fink
Personal details
Born	James Richard Riordan II (1949-12-31)December 31, 1949 Near Boone, Iowa, U.S.
Died	August 14, 2022(2022-08-14) (aged 72)
Political party	Democratic

Personal life

Born in December 1949, James Richard Riordan II was the eldest of five children born to parents James Richard Riordan I and his wife Therese. The family lived on a farm near Boone, Iowa, and Riordan II graduated from the city's Ryan High School in 1968. Shortly after earning his bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in 1975, Riordan married Rhoda Quade, with whom he raised three children. The couple separated in 2015. Riordan owned the Ashworth Acres tree nursery near Waukee, and later worked as a researcher and writer of grants and contracts for Des Moines Area Community College.

Riordan died on August 14, 2022, of aspiration pneumonia and COVID-19.

Political career

Politically, Riordan was affiliated with the Democratic Party. He worked as an administrative assistant for Robert T. Anderson, an aide to Tom Harkin, and was staff director of the United States Senate Democratic Caucus before winning a seat on the Iowa Senate in 1985. Riordan held the District 45 seat from September 10, 1985, to January 10, 1993, and subsequently represented District 39 until January 8, 1995.