Two Republicans and two Democrats will be competing in the June 2 primary to be on the Nov. 3 election ballot for Iowa House District 47.
Incumbent Republican Rep. Carter F. Nordman is seeking a fourth term as he faces Republican challenger Jeremy King in the primary. Democrats Chris New and Charley K. Newman also will face one another to have the chance for their party’s nomination.
The tri-county district includes Dallas Center, Linden, Minburn and Perry in Dallas County. The district also includes Guthrie and Greene counties.
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.
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 Jeremy King?
Who is Chris New?
Who is Charley K. Newman?
Who is incumbent Carter F. Nordman?
What would be your top issue if elected?
King (R): Property Tax reform — something that effects most Iowans and has to be addressed.
New (D): My biggest concern for the state of Iowa is the budget deficit the current administration and Legislature are running. One-party rule has led to a budget crisis, and I fear that we’ll be picking up the pieces of their reckless inaction for years. The sooner we can address the priorities of the majority of Iowans, the sooner we can fix the state’s finances.
Newman (D): I would really like to work on improvements to the health and quality of life for Iowans. We have the second highest cancer rate in the nation and the fastest growing cancer rate. This stems from several factors from extremely high levels of radon, binge drinking, obesity and poor usage of fertilizers and pesticides. When we have some of the best soil in the world here in Iowa, it would be great to see programs to promote more local produce grown and distributed to areas where it’s hard to access a variety — particularly in rural communities like mine. We also must raise the minimum wage.
Nordman (R): Affordability and lower property taxes! As a lawmaker under 30, my priority is making sure Iowa is a place the next generation wants to call home. Right now, too many young adults feel like they’re falling behind compared to where their parents were at the same age. I want Iowa to be the national leader in affordability. We must ensure people can find good-paying jobs that lead to a home of their own. That starts with lowering the property tax burden to make homeownership achievable again, and it means tackling the high costs of childcare and healthcare that are squeezing families’ budgets.
What policies would you support to improve Iowa’s education system?
New (D): A major issue hurting public schools is the voucher program. As written, it takes money from school districts who can afford it the least, and allows for no accountability as to how public funds are managed. School funding on the whole is woefully inadequate, and I’d like to see teachers paid for the critical work they do for our children, and school facilities funded so our kids can learn.
Newman (D): Something I think we desperately need is an increase in civics education. We have a government by and for the people, and the only way that works is by having an educated populace who is invested in their own system of government. There should be a focus on the truth and not ideology. I would also like to see Iowa-based history classes return to our schools. And a mandatory curriculum for all grades to teach critical thinking skills. So kids aren’t taught what to think, but how to think. Like being able to recognize logical fallacies and how to have media literacy.
Nordman (R): Our schools must prioritize core academics over social issues. Full stop — I’ll continue giving teachers the tools they need, just as I did by supporting the largest teacher pay raise in Iowa history in 2024. Classroom environment is another top concern I hear from local educators. Teachers face unprecedented behavioral challenges and often lack the support needed to maintain safety. This year, I supported HF2538 to address this. Built on teacher feedback, this bill ensures educators are heard regarding disruptive behavior and helps students find the best environment for their success.
King (R): Parents and not the government should decide what’s best for their kids. However, I believe that all public tax dollars should be transparent on the usage. I support academics that prioritize things like math, science and civics. I believe we need to see more programs in the schools that encourage the trades. Fiscal responsibility is a must for the schools. As the spouse of a high school science teacher with a master’s degree, I see firsthand the work they put in. In short, empower parents, support teachers, focus on basics, expand opportunities and spend taxpayer money wisely.
Do you support Iowa’s recent tax policy changes, including lowering income taxes, and what additional tax law changes would you support?
Newman (D): I do not support the ridiculous Republican flat tax. There is a basic concept in Economics 101 known as “marginal utility.” Essentially, a single dollar means a lot more to a person who has very little than it will ever mean to someone who has a lot. A flat tax hurts the poorest Iowans and benefits the wealthiest. We’ve seen poor management of the budget under the Republican majority in the last several years, where in 2026 we are burning through our savings and spending $1 billion dollars more than we’re collecting. Currently our overall average tax burden is the same as California’s at 9.2%.
Nordman (R): As Ways & Means chairman, my priority is lowering the tax burden. I’m proud to have supported cutting income tax to 3.8%, ending retirement taxes and eliminating the inheritance tax. When I entered office, Iowa was ranked one of the highest taxed states in the nation. Today, we are one of the lowest. Now, we are tackling the issue I hear about most: property taxes. Bills are skyrocketing without enough transparency. That’s why I am currently working on the largest property tax reform bill in Iowa history. It is time for a system that finally prioritizes family budgets over government budgets.
King (R): I would support a flat tax, or consumption tax — taxes should be simple. Property tax needs to be capped on increases. If you contest your property taxes and win, then you should be credited back the amount you were overcharged on the following year’s taxes. Comps should be provided to homeowners when property taxes change per their request. Keep income taxes low, flat and fair. Eliminate taxes that punish savings, retirement and generational family farms. A tax that supports small businesses so they can grow and create jobs in rural Iowa.
New (D): I like a simplified tax structure in theory, but in practice, Iowa’s implementation in recent years has not provided relief for everyday, working Iowans. It gives huge amounts to high-income earners, while letting essential services go unfunded, breaking the “piggy bank” to pay for them.
What actions would you support to address Iowa’s high cancer rates?
Nordman (R): We must tackle Iowa’s cancer rates from every angle. I just voted for $1 million to study our cancer crisis at UHIC and $3 million for pediatric research to tailor treatments for children. We also passed laws requiring radon mitigation in new homes, safeguards for tanning beds and policies prioritizing quality nutrition for students and low-income Iowans. To address water quality, Iowa allocates $100 million annually, matched by $500 million in federal funds. In current budget negotiations, we are doubling down on this priority by scaling up our investment to ensure cleaner water for ALL.
King (R): First, you need to investigate the cause(s) more aggressively and act now on the largest known risks/factors. With the vast diversity of landscape in Iowa — I believe that a county-by-county dashboard should be available to people to see local findings. As we learn more from findings, we need to address and solve them.
New (D): Iowa’s high cancer rates is a long-term, developing problem and requires long-term solutions — led by experts in their fields. Two of the most often-cited causes are nitrates and other agricultural chemicals in our water, and radon in our homes. Both of these need mitigation programs to limit the exposure we present to ourselves and our families in every day life. I would hope, with Iowans’ careful conservation of the land through hunting and farming, we would have the same pride in that land as a place for our neighbors to live without the threat of harmful elements.
Newman (D): I would restore the funding that was gutted by Des Moines Republicans for our incredible nitrate sensor network for Iowa’s rivers and streams. They seem to think that if we ignore the problem, then it doesn’t exist. The reality of having some of the most polluted water quality in the U.S., and the second highest cancer rate in the nation says otherwise. We also need to increase pesticide monitoring of our air and water quality near large-scale farming operations. As Iowa has some of the highest radon levels in the ENTIRE WORLD, I would seek legislation for radon mitigation systems and tax credit.
When do you believe it is appropriate to use eminent domain, and should it be used to build carbon capture pipelines?
King (R): The only time eminent domain should be used is for true public use. Eminent domain cannot be used for private gain. No, it should not be used for the proposed CO2 pipeline.
New (D): The carve-out for carbon capture pipelines seems highly selective. I believe eminent domain should be outlawed in its entirety for use in public-private development. If the state feels that the process should be invoked for a particular public purpose, they can bear the burden of “owning” the project, instead of passing responsibility to a private developer with no accountability to the “public good.”
Newman (D): Eminent domain is simple. The entire purpose of it is to only be used when it provides a benefit to the public. Things like infrastructure and public parks. Reynold’s and many of the Republicans in the legislature have been a total failure and disgrace on this issue. The carbon pipelines are all about making a handful of wealthy people even wealthier at the expense of real people and their homes. Eminent domain should not be abused for private gain.
Nordman (R): I believe eminent domain should be very rare and only be used for public good. I have stood firm to resist the abuse of eminent domain for any project, including carbon capture pipelines, supporting numerous bills containing protections for landowners dating back to 2022. Our founding fathers believed private property rights were so important, they put in the constitution. I will always stand up for landowners in my district and across Iowa.
How would you remedy Iowa’s budget deficits driven by lost revenue? Are there certain services you would prioritize for cuts?
New (D): I think if the issue of deficits is driven by lost revenue, then we should be addressing the problem on the revenue side, rather than implementing cuts in programs that are already strapped. And we can do this without raising taxes on working/middle class Iowans (and, in many cases, lower them still).
Newman (D): Our disastrous deficit has been a direct result of poor management by Iowa Republicans and a disdain for working people in this state. Our transition from a fair and progressive tax system to a regressive flat tax has cost our state around $800 million dollars in revenue, which is the overwhelming bulk of our deficit. I would work to restore our system. We have already cut so many services, when we need to be building a state that people want to live in. It’s absurd that between sales, income and property taxes, we have an identical tax burden as California at 9.2%, yet no comparable benefit.
Nordman (R): The “budget deficit” Democrats fear-monger over is actually the planned result of lowering the income tax burden after years of state over-collection. Our reserves were full, with an ending balance of over $2 billion and more than $4 billion in the Taxpayer Relief Fund. While Democrats want more government spending, I believe this is your money and you deserve it back. We cut income taxes and created a responsible plan to navigate a temporary decrease in state revenues by utilizing the Taxpayer Relief Fund to ensure a stable transition.
King (R): I would have to dive into the budget and see where the spending is happening. I would still prioritize core services such as public safety, infrastructure and education. Make sure we are auditing state agencies regularly and have them justify the money they are receiving. Strengthen oversight on Medicaid to prevent fraud. Make sure that our government is the right size and still able to provide services to Iowans. Pass legislation that would grow the economy.
Read more about all midterm candidates at: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/news/elections/.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Hear Iowa House District 47 candidates on eminent domain, cancer rates
Reporting by Phillip Sitter, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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