Iowa Senate 18 candidates disagree on role of government

MARION - From the outset, candidates running in a special election in a Linn County Senate district agreed to disagree and strayed from that game plan rarely in the first of two public forums.

“There are differences,” Democrat Liz Mathis of Cedar Rapids said in her opening remarks at the Oct. 26 forum sponsored by SourceMedia Group, the parent company of The Gazette and KCRG-TV9. “Cindy advocates limited government. I think she feels that Iowa's future is one of limited opportunities and short resources.”

Republican Cindy Golding agreed there are differences, but said her goal is to “get government out of the way of Iowans ... to let the true genius of Iowans show ... let Iowans grow and prosper.”

Golding and Mathis are running to replace Democrat Swati Dandekar of Marion, who resigned to take a seat on the Iowa Utilities Board. Dandekar's successor in Iowa Senate 18 will be determined in a Nov. 8 election.

Senate 18 includes parts of Marion and Walford as well as Fairfax, Palo, Hiawatha, Robins, Alburnett, Center Point, Walker, Central City, Coggon and Prairieburg.

Mathis, 53, is well-known throughout Eastern Iowa for her 16 years at KWWL in Waterloo and as anchor, reporter and producer at KCRG-TV9 in Cedar Rapids from 1998 to 2007.

Golding is a rural Cedar Rapids farmer and business owner who has been involved in scouting, school and church activities as a youth leader.

Both candidates have experience dealing with the Legislature. In her job as chief information officer for Four Oaks, Mathis deals with lawmakers on legislative issues including child welfare and juvenile justice.

Golding has volunteered her time on legislative priorities of the Linn County Farm Bureau and the National Federation of Independent Business.

While both candidates have talked about job creation, business growth and education, Mathis said they have different priorities.

The state needs to prioritize, Mathis said in explaining why she would not support an increase in the motor fuel tax. (See story, 6A) For example, the state hasn't put the priority on education “that we should have,” Mathis said. If education is a priority, “that's what should come first. It really gets down to the priorities, not spending.”

Golding, who also would oppose a gas tax increase next year, said her priority is “are getting our economic engine working, so businesses choose to move here … (so) we have more revenue to put to these priorities.”

They also agreed on a need to end the gridlock in the Senate, which would be tied 25-25 if Golding wins.

“I would hope we could reach across the aisle,” Mathis said. “People are sick of the bickering. They want progress.”

“Good intentions will not change the nature of the Senate,” Golding said, arguing a 25-25 tie would force the parties to work together. What's needed is a leadership change.

“If we don't change the dynamics, that discussion we want to happen won't happen,” Golding said.

The hourlong forum that featured a 20-minute discussion between the candidates without questions or refereeing by moderators didn't satisfy everyone. As the forum ended, one man shouted out that he wanted to know where the candidates stood on same-sex marriage and whether the candidates would support a House-passed resolution to put a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage on the ballot.

In other venues, Golding has indicated she would support letting Iowans vote on the constitutional amendment. Mathis has said she supports the Iowa Supreme Court decision striking down a state ban on same-sex marriages.

The candidates will square off again at a League of Women Voters forum at 7 tonight at the Kirkwood Training and Outreach Service, 3375 Armar Dr., Marion.

There's a third candidate in the race - Jon Tack of Hiawatha, who is vice chairman of the Constitution Party of Iowa, is a senior lab tech at Schneider Electric in Cedar Rapids. He's a high school graduate who received technical and leadership training during his 14-year Navy career.

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