Democratic state Rep. Austin Baeth is running unopposed as he seeks reelection to his Des Moines-based House district.
Iowa House District 36 includes the Sherman Hill neighborhood and the area surrounding Gray’s Lake.
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.
Who is Austin Baeth?
Age: 41
Political party: Democratic Party
Current town of residence: Des Moines
Occupation: Physician
Education: Doctor of Medicine, University of Iowa
Political experience: Incumbent, serving second term as state representative in the Iowa House
What would be your top issue if elected?
I will continue to advocate for public health policy to combat Iowa’s cancer crisis.
What policies would you support to improve Iowa’s education system?
Iowa should fund public schools at an annual rate that meets or exceeds inflation, rather than slowly starving our schools with sub-inflation funding, as has occurred over the last decade under Republican control. Private school vouchers are exacerbating the inequities of our education system and are bankrupting our state. The vouchers must be phased out.
Do you support Iowa’s recent tax policy changes, including lowering income taxes, and what additional tax law changes would you support?
Iowa’s wealthiest residents and corporations should pay their fair share in taxes. Recent tax changes by Republican politicians have shifted the tax burden to Iowa’s working class instead. Overall, tax revenue is down and spending on private school vouchers is up, leading to a historic budget deficit exceeding $1 billion annually. It’s irresponsible and unsustainable. We have to get our priorities straight.
What actions would you support to address Iowa’s high cancer rates?
Our state needs a bold and multifaceted approach to cleaning up Iowa’s water. Iowa House Democrats proposed a five-point plan called the Iowa Healthy Water Act that was designed to garner bipartisan buy-in. Unfortunately the bill has yet to receive a vote in the Iowa House. In addition, with lung cancer comprising a significant portion of Iowa’s excess cancer cases, our state should provide assistance for radon testing and mitigation as well as commit more resources to tobacco prevention and cessation.
When do you believe it is appropriate to use eminent domain, and should it be used to build carbon capture pipelines?
Eminent domain should only be used when it serves the public good to a degree that far exceeds its burden to the property owner. I have yet to be convinced that the current carbon capture pipeline as proposed by Summit would meet that standard. I remain open to hearing both sides and take this issue very seriously.
How would you remedy Iowa’s budget deficits driven by lost revenue? Are there certain services you would prioritize for cuts?
ISU Professor of Economics Dr. Peter Orazem as well as Director of Iowa Economic Development Debi Durham both report that one of the largest weaknesses in Iowa’s economy is our shrinking labor force. Our brain drain. We must invest in improving the quality of life in Iowa and eschew divisive and unwelcoming culture wars if we’re going to start retaining and attracting more workers and young families to our state again. In the meantime, we can immediately resolve our budget deficit by ending private school vouchers and repealing tax cuts for the rich.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Meet the candidate running for Iowa House District 36 in 2026
Reporting by Brianne Pfannenstiel, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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