2C - The Daily Iowan - Iowa City, Iowa - Monday, November 3, 2008 The Daily Iowan - Iowa City, Iowa
The Daily Iowan - Iowa City, Iowa - Monday, November 3, 2008 - 3C
Local & state races
RACE FOR U.S. SENATOR
Tom Harkin
DEMOCRATIC
INCUMBENT
Residing City:
Cumming
Age: 68
Family: Wife, two children
Education: J.D., Catholic
University of America Law
School; B.S.,
government/economics,
Iowa State University
Experience: U.S.
Senator, 1985-present;
sought Democratic
nomination for president,
1992; representative,
U.S. House of
Representatives, 1975-
1984; Democratic
nominee for U.S. House
of Representatives, 1972
ECONOMY
Harkin “reluctantly” voted
for the September eco-
nomic-bailout bill, which,
he said must be modified
soon. He stresses the
need for efficiency-orient-
ed regulation and on
taxes, he has received
unfavorable ratings from
conservative interest
groups.
EDUCATION
Harkin voted for a law last
year that increases Pell
Grant amounts and cuts
the interest rates on
Federal Subsidized Student
Loans and Federal Direct
Stafford Loans. He voted
for 2001’s No Child Left
Behind Act, but argues it
has been underfunded.
ENERGY
Harkin is a staunch propo-
nent of ethanol — both
corn and other sources —
and supports using
Midwest resources rather
than those of the Middle
East. He has consistently
voted for alternative-ener-
gy tax credits. He also
voted for a cap-and-trade
system of reducing carbon
emissions. Harkin says leg-
islation on real renewable
fuel alternatives is neces-
sary very soon.
HEALTH CARE
Harkin advocates a “rapid”
change to the health-care
system. Instead of waiting
for people to get sick, the
junior senator wants to
provide incentives for pre-
venting illnesses. He also
supports mandating cover-
age for children and a
national health-care system
that he says would curtail
costs and improve access.
WAR ON TERRORISM/VETERANS’ ISSUES
An opponent of the surge,
Harkin calls the war in
Iraq the “worst foreign-
policy blunder in our
nation’s history.” He
supports a timetable for
withdrawal. Harkin, who
supported this year’s GI
Bill, received an A-plus
from the Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of
America.
Christopher Reed
REPUBLICAN
CHALLENGER
Residing City:
Marion
Age: 36
Family: Wife, three
children
Education: Solon High
School
Experience: Small-
business owner,
U.S. Navy
Reed is a strong oppo-
nent of the economic-
bailout package. He said
it “rewarded bad behav-
ior,” deemed it socialistic,
and said it aided Wall
Street, rather than ordi-
nary people. He also
favors deregulation and
cutting taxes.
Reed doesn’t support No
Child Left Behind or feder-
al education regulations.
He favors local control on
education issues. The
Republican argued a col-
lege education is a privi-
lege, and should be
reserved for the best qual-
ified, as the government
can’t pay for everyone.
The Republican challenger
stresses domestic drilling
as essential to energy
independence, in addition
to alternative energy
sources. He blames “radi-
cal” environmentalists for
high fuel costs. “They are
the ones that protest
American drilling and the
manufacture of new
refineries. Then, they are
the first ones to cry ‘foul’
when gas is over $3 per
gallon.”
Reed favors a free-market
approach to health care to
stimulate competition and
bring prices down. He
blames the government for
the Social Security prob-
lem, does not support uni-
versal health care, and
“couldn’t fathom” allowing
increased government
intervention.
Reed favors letting gener-
als on the ground deter-
mine withdrawal timing,
and he opposes timetables.
The veteran accused
Harkin, a drawdown
proponent, of “providing
aid and comfort to the
enemy” in Iraq in a recent
debate. He also called
Harkin the “Tokyo Rose of
Al Qaeda and Middle East
terrorism.”
RACE FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — 2ND DISTRICT
Dave Loebsack
DEMOCRATIC
INCUMBENT
Residing City:
Mount Vernon
Age: 55
Family: Wife, four children
Education: Ph.D., political
science, University of
California-Davis; M.A.,
political science, Iowa State
University; B.S., political sci-
ence, Iowa State University
Experience: Representative,
U.S. House of Representatives,
2006-present; chairman, Linn
Phoenix Club, 2002-05; local
leader, Bill Bradley
presidential campaign, 2000;
Linn County coordinator for
Howard Dean for president,
2004
He supported both versions
of the September economic-
bailout bill, calling them the
“two toughest votes in my 21
months in office.” He favors
cutting taxes for families
making under $100,000 and
raising them on households
making more than $180,000.
He also favors raising the
capital-gains tax.
Loebsack voted for a bill
that will cut interest
rates for federal student
loans in half. He support-
ed the College Cost
Reduction and Access
Act, which increased the
maximum Pell Grant
money awarded. He also
advocates for greater
lending transparency.
Loebsack voted for a bill this
summer that would have
opened up oil exploration in
Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge. He also supported a
package that sought to lift
the ban on offshore drilling
and extend renewable-ener-
gy tax credits. The Democrat
also voted for a “use it or
lose it” bill that would have
forced companies to develop
existing leased property
before they could apply for
any new leases.
He supported extending
State Children’s Health
Insurance Program reautho-
rization earlier this year,
which failed. He supports a
universal health-care plan
that bars insurers from
excluding people because of
pre-existing conditions.
Loebsack wants insurance
companies to put more
money into patient care.
Loebsack supports withdraw-
ing troops from Iraq. He
received an A-plus from the
Iraq and Afghanistan
Veterans of America. He is a
member of the House Armed
Services Committee and
works to ensure those serv-
ing the country are, in turn,
“served by their country with
the same dedication with
which they have served our
nation,” he said.
Mariannette
Miller-Meeks
REPUBLICAN
CHALLENGER
Residing City:
Ottumwa
Age: 53
Family: Husband, two
children
Education: M.D., University
of Texas, M.S., education,
University of Southern
California; B.S., nursing, Texas
Christian University; attended
San Antonio Junior College
Experience: Private-practice
doctor; councilor for Iowa to
the American Academy of
Ophthalmology; associate
examiner, American Board of
Ophthalmology; faculty,
University of Michigan; nurse,
Walter Reed Army Medical
Center
Miller-Meeks said she would
have voted against the
September economic-bailout
bill and said Congress
“showed a lack of leader-
ship.” She also supports a
flat tax on income and sim-
plifying the overall tax code.
She supports reducing gov-
ernment regulation in the
free-market.
Miller-Meeks supports a
voucher system designed to
give parents more choice.
She’s also in favor of
increasing funding for Pell
Grants and cutting the inter-
est rates of Stafford Loans.
She also favors making the
process more transparent
and removing conflicts of
interest.
She supports drilling in
Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge and offshore but “in
the most environmentally
safe” way. The key compo-
nent to her plan is alterna-
tive energy, however, as well
as nuclear power. “Drilling is
not a long-term solution nor
is it the only component of
an energy policy,” said
Jonathon Miller-Meeks, her
campaign manager, stressing
the need for a comprehen-
sive energy policy.-
She supports minimal
government intervention,
favoring instead a largely
free-market solution.
“Consumer-guided and
-purchased health insurance
through a national risk pool
with numerous insurance
players would allow
affordability and
portability,” she states on
her website.
A supporter of the “surge,”
she favors drawing down
troops in Iraq only when
ground commanders support
it. The veteran also favors a
new GI Bill. “The GI Bill cur-
rently does not serve our
returning war veterans very
well,” she said, adding those
who served the country
should receive assistance
with tuition for trade school,
college, or graduate school.
Brian White
INDEPENDENT
CHALLENGER
Residing City:
North Liberty
Age: 31
Family: Wife, three children
Education: J.D., UI; bachelor’s
degree, UI
Experience: Adjunct
assistant professor, UI
College of Public Health;
legal counsel, UI Hospitals
and Clinics
The self-described “social
liberal, fiscal conservative”
regularly returns to balanc-
ing the budget and sound
fiscal policies. He favors a
flat tax on income, balancing
the national debt, and end-
ing earmarks. “We must stop
asking our kids to pay for
our spending indulgences of
today,” White says.
He supports working to
make college more afford-
able, calling it “an invest-
ment that will pay dividends
to all Americans over time.”
He favors Pell Grant alter-
ations to help students. In
pre-college schooling, he
favors standardized testing
as just one of many meas-
ures of a student’s aptitude.
White supports creating a
“green” economy, which
would boost wind, biofuel,
and soy power. “Iowa is well-
positioned to be the leader
in the green economy, which
will create quality jobs for
Iowans,” he said. Although
he hasn’t ruled out drilling
in the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge or offshore,
White said only focusing on
drilling “would be a reac-
tionary response to our
energy crisis.”
The attorney for the UI
Hospitals and Clinics argues
he’s uniquely qualified to
address health care problems.
The crux of his health-care
plan is cutting costs while not
sacrificing quality. He
supports preventive care and
electronic and compatible
health records. White also
favors a “patient-centered
medical home.”
White favors a bipartisan
solution to Iraq; he sees merit
in both parties’ arguments. He
supports multilateral solu-
tions to international prob-
lems, but also argued the U.S.
must be proactive in prevent-
ing genocide and standing up
to “cowardly dictators.” The
country has a responsibility
to protect human rights of
everyone, he said, and fund
and support veterans.
Wendy Barth
GREEN PARTY
CHALLENGER
Residing City:
Cedar Rapids
Age: 48
Family: Divorced, two
children
Education: M.S.,
mathematics, UI; B.A., Coe
College
Experience: Cochairwoman,
Iowa Green Party,
2004-present;
cochairwoman, Linn County
Green Party, 2002-present;
candidate, governor of Iowa,
2006
Barth said she wouldn’t have
supported the September
economic bailout and lam-
basted Loebsack for his vote
in favor. She supports raising
taxes on the wealthy and
corporations. Barth favors
creating more localized
economies with increased
public transportation and
better city planning.
The peace activist is a
strong proponent of public
schools and doesn’t sup-
port No Child Left Behind
and rejects “one size fits
all” solutions. She favors
reducing class sizes and
providing incentive pro-
grams that reward teach-
ers for exemplary perform-
ance.
Barth supports developing
alternative-energy sources
and increasing gas-mileage
standards. She also favors
raising the gas tax, institut-
ing a windfall, profit tax on
oil companies, and allocating
the money to public trans-
portation and assistance to
those most affected by high
gas prices. Barth said fossil
fuels won’t last forever, and
stressed the need for long-
and short-term plans to
avoid an energy crisis.
Barth has said she’s “not
afraid of the word ‘social-
ism.’ ” She favors a single-
payer, Medicare-style, uni-
versal health-care plan. “The
for-profit healthcare system
in the United States is a fail-
ure,” Barth said. “Access to
comprehensive health care
is a human right.” Barth said
healthcare plans shouldn’t
be tied to employment.
Barth is staunchly against the
war in Iraq, but asserts she is
not anti-soldier. She is in favor
of fully funding veterans’ serv-
ices and said in 2006 the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs
is under-funded. She also said
the president took over the
Iowa National Guard when it
should be controlled by the
governor. She advocates
changing the name to “Iowa
Emergency Response Guard.”
RACE FOR COUNTY AUDITOR
Tom Slockett
DEMOCRATIC
INCUMBENT
Residing City: Iowa City
Age: 61
Family: Two siblings, five
nieces and nephews
Education: Graduated
from Mid-Prairie High
School
Experience: 31 years as
Johnson County auditor
ABOUT THE CANDIDATE
Having served as auditor
since 1977, Tom Slockett is
no rookie on the job. He has
worked to make voting easi-
er with legislation like the
same-day voter registration
implemented this year. He
plans to continue working
to ensure every able voter
has the opportunity to cast
her or his ballot.
Slockett, 61, has most
recently completed nine of
the 12 courses required to
receive a national Certified
Registration Administration
certification. He also has
worked to introduce an
all-time record of satellite
voting locations and
processed a record number
of registered voters in
Johnson County.
If re-elected, Slockett has
many goals to increase the
number of voting citizens. He
hopes to implement Vote
Centers for future Election
Days so voters can cast a bal-
lot in any precinct. This "bal-
lot on demand" process will
reduce county costs, he said.
While he urges everyone
to vote, he said he under-
stands circumstances can
interfere with voting and
said he plans to continue
working to ensure that
everyone able has the
opportunity to cast their
ballot.
In his career Slockett has
served as president of the
Iowa State Association of
County Auditors, and has
received awards like the
Iowa State Association of
Counties Innovation for map-
ping project and revenue
and expense calculation.
He also implemented the
first station elections
administration in Iowa in
2004, and made Johnson
County the first and only
county in Iowa to imple-
ment online verification of
absentee ballot status this
year, as well as processed
an all time record number
of registered voters in
Johnson County in 2008.
Slockett was appointed
by the Iowa Secretary of
State to the IVOTERS
Standards Board for the
implementation of
statewide voter registration
and elections software, and
he implemented a new bal-
lot-marking device in all
precincts in 2008.
As for future goals,
Slockett said he hopes to
expand county services to
meet Johnson County's
growing needs, while keep-
ing costs low.
The 61-year-old's experi-
ence should give voters
confidence in his abilities,
Slockett said, adding he's a
"pioneer" in satellite voting
and will serve Johnson
County as long as needed.
RACE FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Hanna Gugliuzza
INDEPENDENT
CHALLENGER
Residing City: Iowa City
Age: 24
Family: Husband, two dogs
Education: Kirkwood
Community College,
Associates Degree in
Liberal Arts
Experience: Elections
technician, February 2008
to July 2008; precinct
election official, November
2004 to present
Challenger Hanna
Gugliuzza, 24, looks to
unseat current Auditor
Tom Slockett from his
long-standing position to
change the face of the
office, she said.
She has worked with the
polls since 2004 and was
an election technician in
the Auditor's Office. She
also knows how to be fis-
cally responsible with
experience as a small-busi-
ness owner, she contends.
The independent — who
was nominated by petition
— said her first mission, if
elected, is to establish a
uniform procedure for
handling ballots. She plans
to track and protect each
ballot by strictly following
Iowa Election Code in a non-
partisan manner, she said.
Gugliuzza, who works as
a school-bus driver, said she
plans to bring a new organi-
zational system into the
Auditor's Office to enhance
productivity. To do this,
she'll keep employees in the
office longer, she said.
Sustainability remains a
top priority for Gugliuzza, as
she said she hopes to reduce
the amount of waste pro-
duced in the offices — such
as reprinting documents due
to disorganization.
She also said she plans
to bring services up to a
new standard to ensure all
employees in the Auditor's
Office feel comfortable
about their positions.
Gugliuzza added restor-
ing confidence in the staff
will also increase trust for
the county among voters.
The 24-year-old also
wants to revamp how the
county analyzes
boundaries and zones by,
in part, archiving records
so they can be easily
recalled in the future.
The Johnson County
resident has worked in var-
ious positions, including
consulting, manufacturing,
customer service,
management, and election
programming.
Her goal as auditor is to
be "a good steward" with
residents' tax dollars so all
community members are
treated fairly. She said she
thinks it's crucial to eliminate
bias in the office to restore
confidence among voters.
Running on what she
says is "no political
agenda," Gugliuzza said
she will reduce expenses
and increase residents'
confidence in the office.
She also will implement
new technologies to "bring
the county into the 21st
century," she said.
If elected, Gugliuzza
said she plans to "rebuild"
on Nov. 5.
Dave Jacoby Vicki Lensing
DISTRICT 30, DISTRICT 78,
DEMOCRATIC DEMOCRATIC
INCUMBENT INCUMBENT
Residing City: Residing City:
Coralville Iowa City
Age: 52 Age: 51
Family: Wife, two chil- Family: Husband
dren Education: B.A., UI
Education: B.A., Experience: State
University of Northern representative, 2000-
Iowa present
Experience: State
representative, 2003-
present
EDUCATION
Jacoby said despite Lensing promised fur-
recent reports of ther work on college
revenue flattening, he affordability legisla-
will push to maintain tion by expanding
last year’s level of
investment and set a
ceiling on year-to-year
loans, grants, and
work-study programs
to help alleviate stu-
Barack Obama vs. John McCain The Issues
tuition increases. He dent debt. Lensing
also wants to cut wants to do this to Pro-choice and doesn’t support overturning Roe v.
Says Roe v. Wade is a “flawed decision that must
costs by emphasizing
work-study, among
“allow young Iowans to
continue their educa-
Wade. NARAL Pro-Choice America endorsed Obama. Abortion be overturned” and favors returning the decision
to the states.
other options. tion without taking on
huge debt,” she said.
Calls it a “moral responsibility” to end genocides
Supports providing “whatever logistics, whatever
like the one in Darfur. Favors U.S. aid for a
protective force on the ground and supports
Darfur financial, and whatever other assistance we can” to
peacekeeping forces. He supports forming a League
sanctions against the government of Darfur.
HEALTH CARE of Democracies to solve the problem.
Supported September’s economic-bailout package. Supported September’s economic-bailout package.
The representative The universal health-
Would raise taxes on families making $250,000 a year
wouldn’t label the cur- care proponent said
or individuals making at least $200,000. Would cut
Economy & McCain’s tax proposals would cut more taxes overall
than Obama’s, with most of them benefiting the
rent situation a crisis the federal govern-
but said more work ment must address taxes for almost all other workers. Favors the taxes well-to-do, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy
needs to be done in the problem. “If they pro-labor Employee Free Choice Act and wants to Center. McCain favors lowering trade barriers and
alleviating the high do not take this up, create 5 million new “green jobs.” cutting the corporate income tax.
health-care costs for every state is forced
Has proposed a tuition tax credit for college
both employers and to come up with its Wants to simplify the higher-education tax
workers. The middle- own system” that may students who perform community service. Supports Education benefits and the financial-aid process. Supports
class also needs help not work with the big- additional funding for No Child Left Behind. private-school vouchers.
with health-care costs, ger system, she said.
The Legislature must Hopes to eliminate oil imports from Venezuela
Jacoby said. He has A proponent of the “all of the above” approach,
supported extending continue working on and the Middle East within 10 years. Has
coverage to mental- expanding coverage expressed support for an energy package that Energy favoring expanding domestic drilling and nuclear
energy. Also supports tax credits for renewable-
health conditions. for Iowans. would include offshore drilling and is a proponent energy sources and transforming workplaces with
of renewable fuels. “green” jobs.
Supports a cap-and-trade auction system that Supports a market-based cap-and-trade system to curb
Photo not would put a price on emitting greenhouse gases.
available Also wants to cut such emissions 80 percent by
Environment global warming emissions. Proposes cutting green-
house emissions by 60 percent by 2050. Received a
2050. “zero” rating from the League of Conservation Voters.
Places a special emphasis on diplomacy. Wants to The military veteran also favors diplomacy and
strengthen the military and has said he wouldn't Foreign policy wants to rebuild US relations with allies. Unlike
ALSO RUNNING think twice about protecting America's interests Obama, he has a more hawkish stance on foreign
Mary Mascher Chris Brewer militarily. policy.
Supports more restrictive gun laws than McCain, Opposes most forms of gun control, arguing it's "a
DEMOCRATIC INDEPENDENT but asserts he "will protect the rights of hunters Gun rights proven failure in fighting crime." Opposes waiting
INCUMBENT, CHALLENGER, and other law-abiding Americans to purchase, own, periods, bans on assault rifles, and holding gun
HOUSE transport, and use guns." Argues "common sense" manufacturers liable for crimes committed by third
HOUSE laws are needed. Has consistently received parties. He supports background checks to make
DISTRICT 77
Residing City: DISTRICT 77 unfavorable ratings from pro-gun interest groups. sure criminals aren't purchasing weapons.
Residing City:
Iowa City
Age: 56 Iowa City Does not support gay marriage, but favors civil Opposes gay marriage and supports the military’s
Family: Divorced, one Other biographical
information not unions. The Human Rights Campaign, a lesbian, Gay & lesbian “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Opposes civil unions.
child gay, bisexual, transgender advocacy group,
Education: M.A., UI; available.
endorsed Obama.
rights
B.A., UI
Experience: State
Has a plan that would allow those satisfied with Supports a mostly market-based approach to solving
representative, 1994-
their current coverage to keep it, while others
present;
chairwoman, Johnson could opt for an alternative national health-care
Health care health-care problems. Would give citizens a tax credit
— $2,500 for individuals, $5,000 for couples and
County Democratic plan. Supports mandatory coverage for children families — and allow them to buy across state lines.
Party, 1986-88
and would require insurance companies to cover Favors expanding high-risk pools that he says would
pre-existing conditions. increase accessibility.
ABOUT THE CANDIDATE
Supports cracking down on employers who knowingly Stresses the need for increased border security and
Mascher has been in Brewer says the “state hire illegal immigrants and increasing border security.
the Iowa House of government is failing Also favors increasing legal immigration and a path
Immigration punishing employers who knowingly employ
undocumented workers but also favors a path to
Representatives for in the fundamentals,”
to citizenship for undocumented workers. citizenship and a guest-worker program.
almost 15 years and is noting public safety,
an Iowa City teacher. law enforcement, and
Supports “tough, direct presidential diplomacy
She favored legislation labor and safety laws.
Rejects Obama’s support for diplomacy without
to encourage compa- His main problem is with Iran without preconditions.” Hasn’t ruled out
a military solution, but favors economic sanctions
Iran preconditions. Favors cooperating with other
nations to sanction Iran. Hasn’t ruled out military
nies to provide intern- the lack of regulation
ships for college stu- and oversight of cor- and political isolation if diplomacy fails. strikes on Iran.
dents. She also spon- porations that don’t
sored a bill that would have the public inter-
have mandated 25 per- est in mind. “State gov- Opponent of the surge and also initially opposed Staunch supporter of the surge. Doesn’t support an
cent of the state’s
energy to be from
ernment appears to be
diligent when it comes
the Iraq war. Now favors a phased Iraq immediate withdrawal, arguing “when Iraqi forces
can safeguard their own country, American troops
withdrawal from Iraq that would bring troops back
renewable sources. to law enforcement home by the summer of 2010. can return home.”
Mascher pushed for against individuals or
mandating exercise small businesses, but it Supports raising the payroll tax on those who Favors allowing personal savings accounts.
time and cutting out
junk food from
chooses to ignore
large scale corporate
make more than $250,000 to maintain solvency. Social Security
Opposes optional personal savings accounts.
schools. crime altogether.”
Illustration by Dylan Salisbury