Boone County’s New Horizon: Democratic Leadership is Building the Future
Make it stand out
Daniel Wojcik
Chair
Growing up in Northern Michigan, I grew up with a passion for reading. This led me to graduate in the top 10% of my class and instilled a passion for education, which led me to attend the University of Iowa, where I graduated in 2002 with a degree in Studio Arts and a minor in English and Theater. My plan was to become a teacher and inspire our youth to create. Life has a habit of throwing you curveballs when you least expect it though.
While attending College, I worked for MCI for eight years in customer service. I handled residential accounts, small and medium business accounts, escalated and agency complaints. I eventually left and began working for Galaxy 1 Marketing in the Quad Cities, while my wife attended Palmer College of Chiropractic. After she graduated, we moved around the state for the next several years (North Liberty, Davenport, Boone, Coralville, Joplin, MO, Boone). I picked up what work I could while supporting my wife's desire to be a chiropractor. I worked for GEICO for roughly two years while handling inbound customer calls. In December 2009, my family relocated to Boone for the final time. I worked for the County Auditor's office as a seasonal employee for a few months. Eventually I found full-time employment with Kum & Go, where I started out as an associate, then quickly became a Sales Manager and ultimately the Store Manager over the course of seven years. I left and began working for the Ames Tribune, where I was the District Manager for four years, until the position was eliminated. Today I work for DMACC on the Boone Campus in the Academic Achievement Center two days a week. I also work for Mayhem Comics in Ames two days a week.
My wife Jennifer and I have raised three diverse children in Boone. Two have graduated from Boone High with the third set graduate in a year. I have a strong passion for learning. In my spare time, I work with various professional wrestling promotions throughout the state. Setting up and tearing down rings, photography, security, doing commentary and if allowed, refereeing a match or two. I also have been running a fantasy ttrpg for the last decade. I am also an avid genealogist and numismatist. Somewhere during all of it, I made the time to volunteer for the Boone River Festival for five years as part of the kitchen staff.
Gina Buzzell
Vice Chair
I am a lifelong Boone County resident, wife, mother, and grandmother who is passionate about serving our community and bringing people together. I live in Ogden with my husband, Dan, and we enjoy spending time with our family, riding motorcycles, and staying active in our community.
My community involvement has included serving as President of the Ogden Howe School PTO and President of the ACES Volleyball League in Ogden. These experiences taught me the importance of listening, collaboration, and working toward shared goals.
I currently work for SafeNetRx, a nonprofit organization that helps uninsured and underinsured individuals access free medications. I have been a proud Democrat since I first registered to vote and believe in personal freedom, supporting our neighbors, and building stronger communities.
As Vice Chair of the Boone County Democrats, I am committed to welcoming new voices, supporting our leadership team, and strengthening local engagement throughout Boone County.
Ben Olsen
Candidate, HD48
Benjamin Olsen was born in Ames, Iowa. Olsen attended Iowa public schools and then went on to earn an associate's degree in science from DMACC in 2020. Olsen then transferred to Iowa State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering in 2025.
His career experience includes working as a product order engineer with Emerson, working as a lubrication technician at George White Chevrolet, and as a page in the 87th Iowa General Assembly.
Drawing on these professional and educational experiences, his political journey is driven by a simple belief: that every Iowan deserves a reliable and transparent government that works as hard as they do.
With this belief at the core, Benjamin understands that the best solutions come from listening to the people. His campaign is a call to action for all who believe in the enduring promise of the state of Iowa.
