His prior political experience includes serving as a Tama County Zoning Commissioner from 1996 to 1998.

A Republican, Horbach was re-elected in 2006 with 6,249 votes (55%), defeating Democratic opponent Sharon Owens.

He graduated from South Tama High School and received his BS from Iowa State University.

Outside politics Horbach works for the Independent Insurance Services in Marshalltown, Iowa.

[3] He is a member of the following organizations: Horbach is married to his wife Jody and together they have four children: Amy, Kendra, Melissa and Nick.