Two candidates are running for Iowa House District 42 in Ankeny in an open-seat race that likely will be competitive.
Republican Heather Stephenson will face Democrat Amy Tagliareni as they vie to replace Democratic Rep. Heather Matson, who is instead running in Senate District 21. The seat currently held by incumbent GOP Sen. Mike Bousselot will be open after his decision to move and seek election to outgoing Republican Sen. Jack Whitver’s seat.
Both Stephenson and Tagliareni are unopposed on the primary ballot.
To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal and Des Moines area legislative candidates running for political office this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Iowa’s primary election is June 2.
Click below to see learn more about the candidates and where they stand on key issues:
| Bios | Top issue | Education | Taxes | Cancer rates | Eminent domain | Budget deficits |
Who is Heather Stephenson?
Who is Amy Tagliareni?
What would be your top issue if elected?
Stephenson (R): If elected, my top priority would be improving affordability for Iowans by focusing on workforce development and tax relief. Families across our state are feeling the pressure of rising costs — from groceries to gas to home energy — and they need real, lasting relief. By lowering taxes, we can ensure Iowans keep more of their hard-earned money and have greater financial stability.
Tagliareni (D): Iowans don’t live single-issue lives, and I won’t govern that way. Every challenge we face is connected: keeping young people here, fully funding our schools, addressing our cancer rates and building a responsible budget. You can’t fix one without addressing the others. My campaign is built around a simple idea: building an Iowa that works for everyone. Not just the wealthy, not just those with political access, but working families, rural communities, and the next generation who deserve a reason to stay and build their lives here. That’s what drives every position I take.
What policies would you support to improve Iowa’s education system?
Tagliareni (D): Public schools are the backbone of our communities, and they deserve to be fully and fairly funded. I’d also push to reduce Iowa’s rigid categorical spending requirements, giving schools the flexibility to direct resources where they’re needed most, whether that’s teacher pay, retention or student support. The current voucher program diverts money from public schools to subsidize families who don’t need the help. At a minimum, I’d reform them to be income-based, targeting relief to families who truly need an alternative, not a windfall for those who can already afford private tuition.
Stephenson (R): I would support policies that strengthen workforce development, expand career and technical education, and build partnerships between schools and local businesses to prepare students for good-paying jobs. As a community college educator, I’ve seen how these opportunities open doors for Iowans. Education is central to this effort. As a first-generation college graduate and a parent, I believe in supporting strong schools while ensuring parents have a voice in their children’s education. By focusing on workforce development and education, we can help families succeed and keep Iowa competitive.
Do you support Iowa’s recent tax policy changes, including lowering income taxes, and what additional tax law changes would you support?
Stephenson (R): I support Iowa’s recent tax policy changes, including lowering income taxes for every Iowan. Moving to a flat 3.8% rate has simplified the system, reduced the burden on families, and made Iowa more competitive for attracting workers and businesses. These reforms were possible because of responsible budgeting and spending discipline, and it’s critical that we maintain that approach moving forward. I would support additional tax relief where it is sustainable, with a continued focus on controlling spending, simplifying the tax code and ensuring Iowa remains an attractive place to raise a family.
Tagliareni (D): Iowa’s recent tax changes were done in haste and have forced us to dip into reserves. That’s not responsible governance. And while tax relief sounds good on paper, the biggest benefits went to wealthy individuals and corporations, not working Iowans. I support reducing the property tax burden on everyday Iowans, but not at the expense of the public services our communities depend on. Any tax policy going forward must be fiscally responsible, transparently debated, and focused on delivering real relief to working families, not just those at the top.
What actions would you support to address Iowa’s high cancer rates?
Tagliareni (D): Iowa’s high cancer rates demand a comprehensive, science-driven response. Water quality is where I’d start. Agricultural runoff and nitrates in our drinking water are a serious public health concern we can no longer ignore. The state has begun investing in research, but our rates have been rising for over a decade and we’re late to the table. We need to accelerate that funding. We also need stronger environmental protections and better access to early screening, especially in rural communities where diagnosis often comes too late. Iowans deserve answers and action. I’ll follow the science.
Stephenson (R): I support a comprehensive approach to reducing Iowa’s cancer rates focused on prevention, early detection and research. The Interim Findings Report, Key Drivers of Cancer in Iowa Project identified the role of behavioral risk factors like tobacco use, alcohol consumption and obesity highlighting the need for stronger prevention and public health education. Expanding access to screenings and ensuring clear guidelines for providers will improve early detection, while continued research can better identify environmental and regional factors.
When do you believe it is appropriate to use eminent domain, and should it be used to build carbon capture pipelines?
Stephenson (R): Eminent domain should be used only for clear public use projects and then only as a last resort with fair compensation. It should not be used for private gain.
Tagliareni (D): Eminent domain is a serious power that must be used sparingly. I’d evaluate each situation carefully, weighing genuine public need against the rights of landowners who deserve to have their property and livelihoods protected. What I am certain of is that eminent domain should not be used for carbon capture pipelines. These are private business ventures, and companies are fully capable of negotiating with landowners and finding alternative solutions. Iowa farmers and rural landowners shouldn’t have their land seized to benefit a corporation’s bottom line.
How would you remedy Iowa’s budget deficits driven by lost revenue? Are there certain services you would prioritize for cuts?
Tagliareni (D): The path to a balanced budget runs through a stronger Iowa economy, not just spending cuts. Iowa is losing its young people, and that brain drain is a direct contributor to our budget problem. No amount of cutting fixes it. While others in the legislature have been consumed by battles that divide us, I’m focused on challenges that affect every Iowan: keeping young people here, growing jobs and building a budget that works. That means making Iowa more competitive for business investment, expanding job training and supporting small businesses. We need long-term growth, not short-term fixes.
Stephenson (R): It’s important to view the current budget as part of Iowa’s long-term transition to a 3.8% flat income tax. This shift reflects a deliberate move toward a simpler, more competitive tax structure, requiring alignment of ongoing spending with a lower, more stable revenue base. Lawmakers anticipated reduced revenue when delivering tax relief to Iowans, recognizing the state had been over-collecting. Taxpayers should keep more of what they earn, and government must operate more efficiently by identifying unnecessary administrative costs and eliminating duplicative programs.
Read more about the midterm candidates at: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/news/elections/.
Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Hear Iowa House District 42 candidates on taxes, eminent domain
Reporting by Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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