Those of us who live in the newly constituted House District 77 are lucky to have Sally Stutsman as a candidate for this position.

Stutsman comes to serve this new district with 17 years of experience on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, to which she has been elected for five consecutive terms, beginning in 1995. Her practical knowledge of how governments work and how budgets are managed will be an outstanding asset in the Statehouse. She is noted for her fairness and careful consideration of all sides of a question.

Stutsman is immersed in both rural and urban issues. She and her husband live have owned and operated a farm for 40 years. With her sociology background, she has worked for the Department of Human Services in various capacities, and she has served on a variety of boards of directors (e.g., Elder Services, the Johnson County Housing Trust Fund, and MECCA, to name just a few). She also serves the Iowa State University Council for Agriculture Research Extension as a citizen representative.

Since this is a district with new boundaries, there is no incumbent. Stutsman, though, would have the experience of an incumbent; she would be a hardworking, diligent, and thoughtful member of the Iowa House, with a diversity of knowledge and experience. I can’t imagine a candidate more prepared for the job.

Caryl Lyons

North Liberty