Politicians and policy details in the Nov. 8 Iowa poll
One of the most polarizing midterm elections in US history takes place on November 8th. The Roe v. Wade case was overturned by the Supreme Court, and the economy suffered from inflation and labor shortages. In Iowa, voters elect governors, representatives, senators, and various other local seats. Information about the candidates vying for these seats is below.
Kim Reynolds – Governor Candidate
Incumbent Gov. Kim Reynolds, who is slated for re-election this November, boasts a long history of public service, including serving two terms as lieutenant governor under former Gov. Terry Branstad.
According to her platform, Reynold’s Iowa priorities include all Iowa tax cuts, making Iowa an employer, improving childcare access, and building Iowa’s health workforce. , prepare students for in-demand careers, and provide Iowa families with educational choice and transparency. Growth of renewable fuels.
Economy
According to Reynolds’ platform, one of her priorities for improving Iowa’s economy is creating a strong, highly skilled workforce by creating job-based learning opportunities for students. is to Reynolds also hopes to expand her housing opportunities and tackle Iowa’s parenting crisis.
In 2020, Reynolds signed an executive order establishing an Economic Recovery Advisory Board to assess the economic impact of COVID-19 on Iowa. Economy. According to Reynolds’ platform, the board “recommends strategies that will ensure the future prosperity of all Iowa states.”
abortion
According to Reynolds’ website, if re-elected, she would ask the Iowa Supreme Court to overturn an earlier decision made in 2018.
After overturning Roe v. Wade, Reynolds said:
“The Supreme Court’s historic ruling reaffirmed that states have the right to protect innocent, defenseless fetuses, and now it’s time for our state to do just that. As governor, I will do whatever it takes to protect my most important freedom, my right to life.” Said. Governor Reynolds.
student perspective
UNI student Bryant Cook votes for Reynolds this quarter, agreeing with Reynolds’ campaign slogan, “Making Iowa Work,” and her position on police and abortion funding.
“We know that Republicans may not vote for Kim Reynolds and they may vote for Dejah,” Bryant said. “I think the reason I’m running for Kim Reynolds in this election is probably because of the abortion.”
Deidre DeJear – Governor Candidate
Deidre DeJear attended Drake University, where she earned a BA in Journalism, majoring in Broadcast News and Politics. Throughout her career, she has been involved in philanthropy, small business development, and financial education.
According to DeJear’s platform, her priorities in Iowa include funding public schools, creating access to reproductive health care, creating common sense gun safety laws, and legalizing cannabis use. and regulation, including improving healthcare for both insured and uninsured Iowans.
abortion
Codifying abortion rights in Iowa is one of her top priorities, according to DeJear’s platform. DeJear also ensures age-appropriate, medically accurate reproductive health education in Iowa public schools, increases access to contraception, expands the number of reproductive health clinics throughout Iowa, We want to support universal access to prenatal health care and ensure provisions for paid parental leave.
Economy
According to DeJear’s platform, the economy is one of her top priorities. She expressed the need for economic development focused on cooperating with local governments and businesses and addressing labor shortages. Job loss in rural and urban communities.
Her platform is an economic plan to attract new manufacturing and technology jobs, strengthen small businesses, welcome unions, ensure sustainable wages for all families in Iowa, and support workers’ rights. said to implement.
student perspective
UNI student Anton Benjegerdes is voting for Dejah this term because he is unhappy with Reynolds’ approach to lawsuits against Reynolds over public school funding, COVID-19, and the state’s public records law. increase.
“I want to have a strong public education system in my state,” Benjegerdes said.
“Kim Reynolds makes it a priority to pay off a lot of it, which I don’t particularly like.”
Chuck Grassley – United States Senate Candidate
Senator Chuck Grassley is in his seventh term in the Senate, having first been elected in 1980. A native of New Hartford, Iowa, Grassley served from 1959 until 1975, when he served eight terms in the Iowa House of Representatives and three terms in the United States Congress. From 1975 to 1981.
According to Grassley’s platform, his main priorities include agriculture and rural development, inflation and national debt, border crises and immigration, healthcare, biofuels and renewable energy, tax cuts, and greater government accountability. I have. He also supports “the right of parents to have a say in their children’s education.”
Economy
Grassley’s platform highlights his financially conservative values and his track record of “providing tax equity for farmers and small businesses to pass family businesses from generation to generation.” .
Grassley also “reintroduced constitutional amendments to balance the budget.”
abortion
Grassley has pledged to vote against the proposed 15-week nationwide abortion ban, but historically he has consistently voted for the pro-life bill. pledged to block taxpayer funding for He has an A+ rating from the Susan B. Anthony (SBA) Listed National Pro Life his scorecard.
student perspective
Cook said he did not attend the caucuses, given Grassley’s tenure in office.
“Obviously I’m going to swing more towards Grassley,” Cook said. “I know Franken was in the military, and I know he does a lot for Iowa, so I take that into consideration. I will consider candidates.”
Michael Franken – U.S. Senate Candidate
A native of Lebanon, Iowa, Michael Franken has extensive experience serving in the Navy, attaining the rank of Admiral, and working in strategic, policy, and planning positions for the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, Europe, and Africa in the Department of Defense. I’m here. Franken was a military adviser to George W. Bush, opposed the invasion of Iraq, and served under Barack Obama.
Franken’s main priorities include reducing health care costs, curbing inflation by expanding child tax credits, stopping oil and gas companies from rising prices, common-sense gun control, and codifying Law v. Wade into federal law. , agricultural policy support, etc.
Economy
As I said earlier, Franken called for an end to corporate price gouging, an expansion of the child tax credit, and the need to get the wealthy and corporations to pay “fair taxes.”
abortion
Franken has expressed the need to “immediately codify the Roe v. Wade case into federal law,” and is a candidate to support the choice. In an interview with the De Moines Register, he said: The Supreme Court’s ruling is out of step with American life. “
student perspective
“I like Franken’s stance on health care policy,” Benje Guerdes said of his stance on Franken. “I think he is experienced and knowledgeable when it comes to foreign policy.”
Liz Mattis – U.S. Representative
Liz Mathis worked as a journalist, earned a journalism degree from the University of Iowa, reported for KWWL, and became an anchor at the age of 23. On KCRG Channel 9. Matis began her new career in 2007, working as a nonprofit leader at Cedar Rapids to help people in Iowa with their mental health, housing and basic needs. In 2011, Mattis was elected to the State Senate representing a portion of Lynn County.
According to Mattis’ platform, her main priorities are ensuring access to high-quality, accessible healthcare; growing Iowa’s clean energy economy; addressing the threat of climate change; For example, to support security programs.
Economy
According to Mattis’ platform, her priorities for the economy include expanding access to the capital small businesses need to grow, supporting unions and fighting inflation.
Mattis said he supports the Control Inflation Act and the American Rescue Plan Act.
