SPECIAL STATEMENT FROM CHRIS JONES

JANUARY 2026

Dear Fellow Board of Directors Members and Driftless Water Defenders:

Regretfully, I write to inform you of my resignation as President of the Board of Directors of what I believe has become the best environmental advocacy organization in the State of Iowa: the Driftless Water Defenders (DWD). 

Less than two years ago, a group of citizens joined together to establish a new non-profit membership group under the laws of the State of Iowa and Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.  Under that federal law provision, DWD must refrain from political campaign involvement and substantial lobbying.  That status allows donors to deduct contributions and for the organization to be exempt from paying income tax.

Today, I am formally announcing my campaign for the Iowa Democratic Party’s candidate for the position of Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. During my candidacy, I will be focusing on water quality issues in Iowa and will be asking citizens to assist in that campaign and to support bold, common sense public policy proposals aimed to improve Iowa’s water.

While federal law may not formally require me, as a candidate for elective office, to resign as DWD’s President, I think it is wise to do so to avoid any confusion.  In tendering this resignation letter, I thank you for your diligent work and tenacious advocacy in trying to improve the quality of life in Iowa and to achieve better environmental outcomes from Iowa Agriculture.

I hope that our paths will continue to cross productively long into the future.

Best Regards,

Chris Jones