Andrew Ventling, Chair
REPUBLICAN PARTY OF POLK COUNTY
[email protected]

Andrew has been service-oriented from a young age, beginning his involvement in politics while still in high school. In 1999, he was selected as an intern for the 78th General Assembly of the Iowa House of Representatives. He majored in Political Science at Iowa State University and served in the United States Air Force. Andrew co-founded several successful businesses. His dedication to public service is evident in his roles on the Central Committee, Executive Committee, 3rd District Committee, and Secretary for the Polk County GOP. 

Jacob Schrader, Co-Chair
REPUBLICAN PARTY OF POLK COUNTY
[email protected]

Jacob has a history of organizing Republican groups to help conservatives win as a founder of the Iowa Young Republicans and the Drake Law Republicans. He has campaign experience, notably as campaign manager for Bill Gustoff, that will help Polk County GOP in understanding what is needed to elect Republicans throughout Polk County. His goals are to prioritize involvement of the central committee in decision making and to do the “boring” things exceptionally well to enable the exciting successes.

Kate Hartkemeyer, Secretary
REPUBLICAN PARTY OF POLK COUNTY

Kate hails from Le Mars, Iowa. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa and spent over 15 years as a pharmaceutical representative. Currently, she is the owner of Iowa Forensic Data Solutions in Des Moines, where she specializes in investigating cell phones and computers for lawyers and individuals. Kate is a licensed private detective and serves
as the Vice President of the Iowa Association of Private Detectives. Additionally, she is an active member of the Capitol Region Republican Women and the Polk County Central Committee.

Tom Armstrong, Treasurer
REPUBLICAN PARTY OF POLK COUNTY

Tom served as Mayor of Grimes for 16 years before choosing not to seek reelection in 2017. Throughout his tenure, Tom contributed to a variety of boards and commissions, including the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (Chair, 2017-2018; Vice Chair, 2014-2017; Treasurer, 2011-2014), the Mid-Iowa Association of Local Governments (Chair, 2011), Bravo Greater Des Moines, and Catch Des Moines. Tom has been an active member of the Polk County Central Committee since 2018 and joined the Executive Board in 2021, where he currently serves as Treasurer.