NATE BOULTON

COMMITTEES

STATE SENATOR

Sixteenth District
Statehouse: (515) 281-3371
–
HOME ADDRESS

2670 Wisconsin Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
H: (515) 265-1389
O: (515) 288-4148
nate.boulton@legis.iowa.gov

The Senate

Appropriations
Commerce
Judiciary
Labor and Business Relations,
Ranking Member

State of Iowa
Eighty-seventh General Assembly
STATEHOUSE
Des Moines, IA 50319

SENATOR NATE BOULTON STATEMENT
I cannot apologize enough for the heartache caused by the stories of those who came forward in
May. To those individuals, my supporters, my constituents, and my friends and family: I am
sorry. I commit to making sure such questions are never raised again about my conduct.
I have said that I remember these situations differently, with a differing context, but declined to
share more to avoid shaming, blaming, or excuse making. I absolutely do have differing
accounts, but my perspective is likely clouded by intoxication. Moreover, my perspective has
less relevance than the experiences of those who felt that I crossed lines. Excessive drinking has
no doubt led me to misread appropriate social boundaries and make choices that I would never
tolerate while sober. In brutal honesty: binge drinking was a problem in my past. It has caused
hurt and embarrassment, including an OWI in 2011. I now understand more fully the impact that
behavior has had on others.
I have made progress with my drinking behavior since last year and, to show this is something I
take quite seriously, for months have not had a single drink. I made this change because I want
to be the man I believed myself to be—and the man my supporters believed in. No one has seen
me intoxicated, act inappropriately, or even appear to cross boundaries since November, when I
made this change in my life. It is my firm intention that nothing like this will happen ever
again. I did not turn to alcohol when the rumors swirled and stories were published, when I
ended a campaign I poured my heart into, or as my personal character became a topic of a
humiliating public debate. I hope and believe that passing that test is a good start to a better life.
I want to thank everyone who has reached out to me, but especially my wife, Andrea, who has
shown grace, resolve, and steadfast support. I believe each of us is stronger than our weakest
moments and that our potential will always be brighter than how it might appear in our darkest
hours. I am committed to proving that. I now strive to make my example one of hope for anyone
struggling through a personal crisis. I am motivated to live out that positive example--for Iowans,
for my family, and for myself. The responsibilities I have to my constituents and as a dedicated
advocate for working families across this state have not ended. The next step in my journey
comes in January, as I return to serve in the Iowa Senate, humbled but determined.
###