Residents of Hiawatha, Robins, and northeast Cedar Rapids in District 80 will have the opportunity for change this November as current Iowa House of Representatives incumbent Art Staed is eyeing an Iowa Senate seat in a neighboring district. The District 80 voters will have a choice between current Hiawatha City Council member Aime Wichtendahl, a Democrat, and first-time candidate and Cedar Rapids Republican John Thompson.
Wichtendahl, a freelance writer and consultant, has been serving on the Hiawatha City Council for nine years and would be the first transgender representative in Iowa’s history if elected to the Iowa House. Thompson, the founder and president of a military nonprofit, focuses on providing mental health care access to veterans and first responders.
Both candidates share their positions on important issues. Wichtendahl emphasizes the need to make Iowa an attractive place to live and work, addressing issues like competitive wages, water crisis, and culture wars. Thompson proposes revamping Iowa’s mental health system and eliminating the income tax while being fiscally responsible.
The candidates also discuss abortion restrictions, with Wichtendahl advocating for protecting abortion rights within the state code and Thompson suggesting putting the issue to a constitutional amendment vote. They also address access to fertility treatments and contraception in light of the abortion ban after around six weeks.
On the topic of Education Savings Accounts and workforce development, Wichtendahl opposes the voucher program, while Thompson calls for a cap on spending and tax breaks for small businesses. Both candidates highlight the importance of investing in Iowa’s workforce development to address the current workforce shortage and promote economic growth in the state.
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