Representative Michael Thomas Blouin

Michael Thomas Blouin (born November 7, 1945) is an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 1979, representing Iowa’s 2nd congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, he contributed to the legislative process during two terms in office and participated actively in the democratic process on behalf of his constituents during a significant period in American political history. He later sought higher office as a candidate in the 2006 race for Governor of Iowa, but lost in the Democratic primary to Chet Culver.

Blouin was born in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, and moved with his family during childhood to Iowa, where he was raised. He attended local schools and came of age during the postwar era, a period that shaped his interest in public affairs and civic engagement. His early experiences in the Midwest, combined with his later educational pursuits, helped form the foundation for his career in public service and Democratic Party politics.

Blouin pursued higher education at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, where he received his bachelor’s degree. His time at Loras College exposed him to Catholic social teaching and community-oriented values that would influence his later policy interests, including economic development, education, and social welfare. Following his undergraduate studies, he became increasingly involved in local and state political activities, aligning himself with the Democratic Party and its emphasis on labor, social justice, and community development.

Before his election to Congress, Blouin built his political career in Iowa state and local politics, gaining experience that prepared him for national office. He worked to establish himself as a representative voice for his community, focusing on issues important to Iowans such as agriculture, employment, and education. This groundwork in state-level public service and party organization helped him secure the Democratic nomination for Congress and ultimately win election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Blouin was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1974 and took office on January 3, 1975, representing Iowa’s 2nd congressional district. Serving during the 94th and 95th Congresses, from 1975 to 1979, he held office at a time marked by the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, shifts in economic policy, and debates over energy and foreign affairs. As a member of the House of Representatives, he participated in the legislative process, worked on committee assignments, and represented the interests of his district’s constituents in national deliberations. His tenure reflected the concerns of a largely agricultural and industrial region, and he supported measures consistent with Democratic priorities of the era.

During his two terms in Congress, Blouin contributed to the development and consideration of legislation affecting both Iowa and the nation. He engaged in the democratic process by voting on key bills, advocating for his district’s needs, and working within the House Democratic caucus on policy initiatives. His service coincided with efforts to address inflation, energy shortages, and changing economic conditions in the Midwest, and he sought to ensure that federal policy took into account the challenges facing Iowa’s workers, farmers, and small communities. His congressional career concluded on January 3, 1979, after he was not returned for a third term.

In the years following his congressional service, Blouin remained active in public life and Democratic Party politics. Drawing on his experience in Washington and his longstanding ties to Iowa, he continued to engage in public policy and community development efforts. His prominence within the state’s Democratic circles eventually led him to seek statewide office. In 2006, he entered the race for Governor of Iowa as a Democratic candidate, campaigning on issues of economic growth, education, and effective state governance. Despite his prior congressional experience and name recognition, he was defeated in the Democratic primary by Chet Culver, who went on to win the general election. Blouin’s career thus reflects a sustained commitment to public service at both the federal and state levels, centered on representing Iowa and participating in the broader American democratic process.