Iowa 1st District Democrats promise to fight for progressive principles

CEDAR RAPIDS - At a forum Thursday night in rural Amana, five Democratic congressional hopefuls talked about their progressive credentials and promised to fight for Iowa's middle class families by protecting the social safety net from tea party attacks.

Although the five have appeared together at numerous county Democratic functions, this was the first forum for the candidates who hope to succeed U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, who is running to replace Democrat Tom Harkin in the U.S. Senate.

“Five very good candidates” was how Stephen Hanson of the Iowa County Democratic Party, which sponsored the forum, described the five.

“I don't know about you guys,” he said to about 50 people who attended the forum at the Colony Village Restaurant, “but I didn't hear anything I disagreed with.”

In fact, there was little disagreement among the candidates as they introduced themselves to likely primary election voters.

“No matter where you live in the 1st District, we all want the same things,” said Swati Dandekar of Marion. That includes working people having enough money to take care of their families and their retirement, getting the health care they need without going broke and their “children having a chance to make a better life.”

Although he claimed a long history of working across party lines during his 25-year career in the Iowa Legislature, Rep. Pat

Murphy of Dubuque promised to “never, ever, ever” abandon the principles of fighting for the middle class.

“If I go to Washington, I will fight for those things,” Murphy said. “If you send me, I will be that Democrat that you can trust.”

Cedar Rapids attorney Dave O'Brien also talked about trust and the fact he was “born a Democrat.”

“We have to fight for the progressive values we all believe in,” he said, including reinvigorating the middle class by raising the minimum wage, increasing collective bargaining “so more people can join unions and get a bigger slice of the pie.”

Although there was a consensus on most issues, Cedar Rapids City Council member Monica Vernon said “choosing the best person for Congress is a big deal.”

That's never been more important than right now” with the tea party “holding Congress hostage” and shutting down the federal government, Vernon said.

A recent convert to the Democratic Party, Vernon described herself as a “lifelong Iowan and a lifelong progressive.”

Like the others, Vernon pledged to stand up for progressive values, but said congressional service has to be more than fighting.

“To change dysfunction, we have to talk to each other,” Vernon said, adding that as a businesswoman and member of numerous community initiatives she “developed a reputation of bringing diverse groups to the table and getting solutions.”

Anessa Kajtazovic, a second-term member of the Iowa House, who pitched herself as part of a new generation of leaders and a strong progressive voice, said she will be ready to fight.

“We need someone who can stand up” to the Ted Cruzes and Steve Kings of the tea party, she said.

In addition to focusing on protecting the social safety net, Kajtazovic called for action combating climate change.

“I believe in the future,” she said, adding that she would “bring a fresh, new perspective” to Congress. “I'm a real progressive.”

Dandekar, who came to Iowa from India 40 years ago, described herself as a “living testament that the American dream is still alive.” Dandekar claimed to be the Democrat best-suited to keep the 20-county district in the Democratic column.