Beard, Breitbach battle for Senate berth

Voters in Northeast Iowa will elect a new State Senator this November.  District 28 includes all of Allamakee and Clayton counties, as well as parts of Winneshiek and Fayette counties, including the city of Decorah.

Democrat John Beard will face Republican Michael Breitbach on November 6th.

Beard is a former state assemblyman from Decorah.  He has operated J.W. Beard Welding & Machine for over 30 years and is a partnerBeard  in his family's beef operation.

Beard says soil loss should be our #1 concern.  He also supports property tax credits for wind and solar investments and wants steps taken to protect our groundwater.  He wants more money spend to rebuild Iowa's roads and bridges and says a gas tax increase is the "appropriate" way to pay for it.

Breitbach is a Strawberry Point businessman who owns three different companies.  He calls for state employees to pay a portion of their health insurance costs.  He also says he doesn't have a problem with requiring voter IDs.  Breitbach says regulation of confined animal feeding operations should be done at the county level.  Like Beard, Breitbach supports an increase in the state gas tax, stating "We need safe roads and bridges."

Democrat John Beard

Republican Michael Breitbach