MT. PLEASANT – Recently retired Mt. Pleasant Police Chief Lyle Murray announced this week that he is endorsing Tom O’Donnell for the Iowa House of Representatives.

O’Donnell “is one of the few politicians who came to Mt. Pleasant and met with individuals on a one-to-one basis,” Murray wrote in a statement. “He is honest and runs a positive campaign, which you don’t see much anymore. To me, this tells a great deal about the person he is.”

O’Donnell, of rural Keosauqua, is seeking the House seat in District 87, which covers three Henry County townships (including Mt. Pleasant), five Jefferson County townships (including Fairfield) and all of Van Buren County. His campaign has visited more than 5,000 homes and apartments since the campaign launched February 1, including more than 2,000 in Henry County.

“It’s been a pleasure to get to know Chief Murray and the entire Mt. Pleasant community,” O’Donnell said. “Lyle is one of the most respected people in the area, a reputation he’s earned over years of treating citizens with integrity and respect. We’re honored to have his endorsement.”

Murray came to Mt. Pleasant from Vermont to be near his wife’s family. He retired September 11 after 30 years in law enforcement. Murray also has coached youth sports in Mt. Pleasant for more than 25 years, including more than a decade as high school cross country coach.

O’Donnell grew up in central Iowa and covered Iowa as a newspaper reporter and editor before turning to science writing for more than 20 years. He and his wife, Paula Mohr, live in her childhood home.

O’Donnell faces incumbent Jeff Shipley in the November 3 general election.

Murray said O’Donnell “cares about communities, schools and seniors. He is also willing to have a conversation even if he does not have the same beliefs as you. I think he would be a huge asset to the House.”