State Senate race offers different philosophies

The two candidates for Iowa Senate District 28 have different backgrounds and different beliefs.

Republican Michael Klimesh was born and raised in Spillville and has served as mayor of Spillville for 22 years.  A 1991 Luther College graduate, he manages Graphics, Incorporated, which prints area newspapers.

Democrat Matt Tapscott is the owner of a child care business and serves as president of the Iowa Family Childcare Association. 

Tapscott says he's the right person to represent NE Iowa in the Iowa Senate because he believes government can and must play a role in society.  Tapscott told the AAUW/Luther College virtual candidates forum that government is NOT the problem, adding, "I believe in what the role of government should be."

Klimesh says he understand small businesses and what help they need from government.  He describes his background as being "a broad range of experience" that makes him a good choice for the legislature.

The two disagree about the job the state is doing in supporting education.  Klimesh says Republicans have been steadily increasing state funding for local education since 2009--the year the Democratic-controlled legislature cut education funding.  Tapscott disagrees with that analysis, saying Republicans are "not filling the gap."  He says the legislature should take steps to fully restore collective bargaining for teachers and should put its money where its mouth is in support of education.

Tapscott says improving Iowa's economy is his number one issue.  He says too many families have members who are working two or three jobs in order to make enough money to stay afloat.  Klimesh says COVID-19 has hurt a lot of Iowa businesses this year.  He advocates initiatives to strengthen farm to table programs, so small farmers can survive.

District 28 includes most of Winneshiek County, all of Allamakee County and small parts of Clayton and Fayette County.  Republican incumbent Michael Breitbach of Strawberry Point did not seek re-election this year.

The complete Candidate Forum video can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyeXsryoAfH6dI215YW2shw