Two candidates are running to fill an open state Senate seat in Ankeny.
Democrat Heather Matson and Republican John Hollinrake are both vying for the chance to represent state Senate District 21, which includes Ankeny. Neither faces a primary challenge.
The seat is empty as incumbent state Sen. Mike Bousselot runs for office in neighboring Senate District 23.
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 Heather Matson?
Who is John Hollinrake?
What would be your top issue if elected?
Matson (D): I believe every issue should be viewed through the lens of how we can best ensure economic security and opportunity for every Iowan. Life is about more than surviving, it’s about thriving. Whether it’s economic development that prioritizes small business entrepreneurship and the uniqueness of each community, recommitting to making Iowa #1 in public education again, making housing more affordable for homeowners and renters, investing in our direct care workforce, or protecting personal health care decisions, we need state policies to ensure Iowans have the opportunity to flourish together.
Hollinrake (R): I am running to bring common-sense leadership and fiscal responsibility to the state Capitol. I will focus on cutting property taxes to make homeownership more affordable for young Iowans and working families who are saving to buy their first home, and to stop the cycle of runaway assessments and rising bills that are pricing seniors out of their homes. Iowans work hard to stretch every dollar, and government should work just as hard when spending taxpayers’ money.
What policies would you support to improve Iowa’s education system?
Holinrake (R): Iowa students deserve to have the best education. We should keep working to improve childhood literacy, ensure classrooms are focusing on teaching the fundamentals, and continue to strengthen community college and job training programs that prepare Iowans for the future.
Matson (D): Strong public schools are the heart of Iowa’s communities. But volatile policy changes and a decade of underfunding have made it harder for kids to learn and for teachers to teach. Last fall, I led a statewide listening tour on how to best support our kids and improve education. The feedback included, and I have supported: meet mental health and behavior challenges, fix special education deficits, end the voucher experiment and restore collective bargaining for teachers to negotiate smaller class sizes, select quality resources and mandatory prep time to reduce burnout and improve outcomes.
Do you support Iowa’s recent tax policy changes, including lowering income taxes, and what additional tax law changes would you support?
Matson (D): I support tax policies that ensure every Iowan pays their fair share for investments in the common good, including strong public schools, public safety, and protecting our most vulnerable neighbors, while not being priced out of our homes or communities. A fair tax system prioritizes economic security and opportunity for all Iowans, not more giveaways for big corporations and the wealthiest few. We should focus on investments that lower costs of housing, childcare, healthcare and utilities, ensure fair wages and expand retirement security for more Iowans.
Holinrake (R): Iowans are seeing more money in their pockets thanks to Republican-led tax cuts. During a time of rising prices, this makes a real difference in family budgets. It is now time to focus on cutting property taxes to make Iowa even more affordable.
What actions would you support to address Iowa’s high cancer rates?
Holinrake (R): My father had cancer for most of my childhood. Thanks to many talented and caring medical professionals at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, I was blessed to grow up with him in my life. Still, the pain and suffering from cancer is felt by too many. Sadly, there is no easy solution. We must continue to invest in medical research and ensure Iowans receive the highest quality of care.
Matson (D): Iowa leads the nation in rising cancer rates, especially lung cancer. I’ve voted to increase radon mitigation, require written parental consent for tanning bed use under age 18, and provide funding for pediatric cancer research. To address nitrates, I co-sponsored the Iowa Healthy Water Act which proposed restoring the statewide water monitoring network and increasing nutrient reduction strategies. I support stronger regulations of vape products and we should consider raising the tobacco tax, which is proven effective to deter smoking and is supported by two-thirds of Iowa voters.
When do you believe it is appropriate to use eminent domain, and should it be used to build carbon capture pipelines?
Matson (D): Private property rights are a long-held value in American society. Eminent domain is an important tool that should only be used sparingly for projects necessary for the public good or public use, such as infrastructure, public utilities, public facilities and public safety, and must include just compensation to property owners. Iowans are split on whether carbon capture pipelines meet that standard, and part of the debate is whether the pipelines should be built at all. If eminent domain is to be used, it should only be done after meeting a very high threshold of voluntary agreements.
Holinrake (R): I support private property rights and believe Iowans’ voices should be heard on this issue. The law should protect private property rights through a voluntary and collaborative approach to encourage investment while supporting Iowa families.
How would you remedy Iowa’s budget deficits driven by lost revenue? Are there certain services you would prioritize for cuts?
Holinrake (R): For years the state over collected from taxpayers. The billions in the Taxpayer Relief Fund are now being returned to Iowans, as it should be, it’s their money. There is no lost revenue as much as there is money being returned to the hands of Iowans where it belongs. While state government focuses on tax cuts, it should also focus on efficient and responsible government spending.
Matson (D): Budgets demonstrate our values. Remedying Iowa’s deficits can’t just be spending cuts; rather, it’s about adjusting policy and budget priorities. Lawmakers should undertake a review of all tax credits and tax policies to ensure fairness in the system for everyday Iowans and prioritize those with the greatest return on investment. Policies like privatized Medicaid and private school vouchers are a strain on the state budget and haven’t served Iowans well. We should also consider the revenue we lose to surrounding states by having a real debate on regulating and taxing adult-use of cannabis.
Read more about the midterm candidates at: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What Iowa Senate District 21 candidates say about taxes, cancer rates
Reporting by Brianne Pfannenstiel, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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