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The Conservative Reader:
Iowa

3 Questions With Iowa House Candidate Patti Branco

3 Questions With Iowa House Candidate Patti Branco

Patti Branco is the Republican candidate for Iowa House District 34, which covers the Southern portion of Des Moines.  She is running against long entrenched Democratic incumbent Bruce Hunter, in a district that has been traditionally tough for Republicans.

Bruce Hunter has “Labor Union Liberal” written all over him, as not only does he sit as the ranking member of the Labor Committee, his wife happens to be the State Political Director for the AFL-CIO.  His top three priorities, in his own words, are all union strengthening give aways–leaving absolutely no doubt on how he feels is the best way to grow the economy.

An example of the type of candidate we are talking about here is as follows, and I am not making this up.  Among his top priorities for next session are increasing the minimum wage, “investing in infrastructure”, ensuring that teachers are “well rewarded”, and codifying “better protection of workers rights”.  After doing these things his plan then is to “aggressively market Iowa’s (low) cost of doing business“.  You can’t make this stuff up, and it’s high time this antiquated nonsense is voted out of office.

Beyond this, he appears out of touch in other areas.  Apparently his district is the only one in the state that is unconcerned with soaring taxes, and he lists one of his missions as “to work to keep Iowa school’s the best in the nation”.  It seems he has not studied any education data since the mid-1990’s.

Mrs. Branco is a very strong candidate who brings a long and impressive business background to the table.  She has been working hard, remaining highly visible, and doing everything it takes to wage a successful campaign.  All Republicans, especially those of you in her district, should take the time to check out her website and resume, and get involved to help her effort.

The Conservative Reader: Iowa recently reached out to her for our continuing “3 Questions With” series.  Below is Mrs. Branco’s take on the HD 34 race and what she views as her top priorities should she win.

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1) You are running in a traditionally tough district for Republicans—how is the campaign going? And are you finding voters receptive to a change in ideology?

I feel good about the campaign.  I have a strong business background and quite a bit of nonprofit work on boards, but this is my first foray into the political arena.  I have had excellent mentors from the House and the Party sharing ideas and strategies that work, and I have several able and enthused volunteers.  We are door knocking daily, attending events and getting signs out in the in the district, making calls and raising money for a final mailing in October.

I am finding that some voters are going to pull the straight ticket, Democrat, but many others seem to be disillusioned and open to my message. At one door I was told…”I am firing every incumbent, so if you are not one, you have my vote”.  Others have indicated that maybe it’s time for change. I guess the final answer to the first question will be given on November 6th!

 

2) What would you characterize as the top two major differences in political philosophy between you and your opponent?  And how/why would your approach better serve the people of your district?

In a nutshell, I am conservative, and my opponent is liberal. I am for smaller government, lower taxes; I am for Veterans benefits,  I am pro-life,  I am for communication with the constituents to learn of their issues, and of the many doors I have knocked I find very little recognition or awareness of who the current 10 year incumbent is.  Let me say, without making disparaging comments, that I believe he is the opposite on most issues, and his voting record is public information.

The first thing I would do if elected is set up a data base so that I could reach out to my constituents, learn what is important to them and share what is happening in the halls of the Capitol.  I would be a full time pro business legislator, having no other full time career.  I am a people person, I love Iowa and I love America.

I have been endorsed by the Iowa Right to life Organization, the Family Leader and The National Federation of Independent Small Business Owners (NFIB).

 

3) Should you prevail and enter the Iowa House next year, what are the two or three votes that you most look forward to casting? And why?

A. Taxes! Real estate, property and corporate.  We have some of the highest taxes in those categories and if we want to continue to attract business to our state we need to reform the tax rates.  More businesses in Iowa means more jobs, a robust economy, increased net worth for families!  Lower taxes often means additional discretionary income.

B. I think Voter ID is an important issue and the fact that the ACLU and the courts are making it such a big obstacle course makes it even more suspect. Why would any law abiding citizen want to encourage voter fraud or prevent measures to eliminate votes from deceased voters, non-citizen voters or legal voters who manage to vote multiple times posing as others for the same ballot?

C. Education reform. Give tax paying parents more options. Give community leaders and local directors more control. If a teacher isn’t producing let parents choose the school they prefer. Demand accountability from teachers and from the educational boards of directors.

 

 

84th General Assembly: Preview of Coverage

84th General Assembly: Preview of Coverage

The gaveling in of the Iowa Legislature’s 84th General Assembly last week signaled an end to the 2012 Presidential Caucus season and the return of a more local political focus for Iowans.

There is no doubt that much of the session’s oxygen will be sucked up by the major issues that failed to produce any legislation following last year’s battles. These issues include reforming the tax code, mental health services, and education, as well as another round of sparring over Iowa setting up a health insurance exchange to work in conjunction with Obama Care.

While these will grab a majority of the headlines, and a good share of our attention here at The Conservative Reader: Iowa, there have already been a number of very interesting bills introduced that we will also be following.

As of now the bills and issues outside “the big 4” that we have flagged to watch closely are as follows: Term limits, random drug testing for recipients 84th of certain state benefits, banning red light and speed cameras, and the fate of nuclear power in Iowa.

After being deluged for so many months with candidates and their ever changing poll numbers, it is easy to forget that in many ways the caucus season is an imperfect method for measuring Iowa’s current ideological perspective. Removing the factors attached to individual candidates such as “likeability” and “electability”, and instead gauging the debate and the public reaction of Iowans to more hyper-local issues is a far more telling indicator of where we stand. Ironically these debates and their results likely will tip our hand as to which Presidential candidate will be awarded our 6 electoral votes in November.

In the following weeks stay tuned for investigations, updates, analysis, and opinions on the major issues being debated at the State House. As mentioned earlier, while we will not ignore the most publicized topics of debate this session, a number of bills that will exist in the shadows of the major priorities are just as important.

Though we will be closely watching with an appropriate level of skepticism, we wish all those involved with the 84th General Assembly well in their efforts to make improvements for all Iowans. When we feel they have achieved improvement—we will trumpet it. When we feel they have caused damage to our way of life—they will be called to account.

On with Democracy…

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