Senate District 39 Democratic candidates point to education as priority

Apart from their farm roots growing up in Eastern Iowa, Richard Gilmore and Kevin Kinney have very different areas of expertise.

The two are vying for the Democratic nomination in Iowa Senate District 39 and say their experiences are what make them qualified to represent their constituents at the Iowa Capitol.

Gilmore, 62, of Washington has worked as a serviceman repairing everything from televisions to X-ray equipment. He also ran a bed-and-breakfast and restored old homes in his community. He said these experiences taught him how to work with a variety of people to find solutions.

'I think a lot of government is solving problems, not shifting the blame,” Gilmore said. 'People want things accomplished and I've been a problem solver.”

Kinney, 50, was born and raised in Oxford and has spent 27 years with the Johnson County Sherriff's Office. He serves as a lieutenant in the Investigation Division. He said lawmakers have to make tough decisions and his experience investigating crimes and examining the 'whole picture” has prepared him for the job.

'I have to make choices, some of those choices that affect families and individuals for a long time,” Kinney said of his position. 'I feel like I can make those choices.”

District 39 includes all of Keokuk County, most of Washington County, and western and southern parts of Johnson County.

Both candidates see education at all levels as one of their priorities. Gilmore said increasing funding for kindergarten through 12th grade and higher education is important. He cited his wife, who went back to school at 39 to earn her medical degree, as one reason making education a high priority can translate into a good, skilled workforce. He said his wife's move not only benefited their family but also the community where she works as a doctor.

'Everything kind of weaves together,” he said. 'To me, it's an investment.”

Kinney, who is a member of the Clear Creek-Amana School Board, said he wants to make sure funding levels are maintained for education and include professional development opportunities for teachers and preschool options.

Gilmore said maintaining the state's infrastructure also should be a higher priority than it has been in the past. He supports a gas tax to ensure Iowa's bridges and roads are better maintained.

'If you want to invest in Iowa you have to sometimes raise taxes or find other revenue sources,” he said.

Both candidates say growing up on a farm gives them the ability to relate to the rural, farming communities within the district. Gilmore grew up on a farm outside of Monticello. Kinney lives on his family farm where he continues to grow corn, soybeans and raise cattle.

Comments: alison.sullivan@sourcemedia.net

Bio

Kevin Kinney

'Age:

50

'Occupation: lieutenant in Sheriff's Office Investigation Division

'Previous elected experience:

Clear Creek Amana school board member

'Hometown:

Oxford

Richard Gilmore

'Age:

62

'Occupation:

restores old homes

'Previous elected experience:

none

'Hometown:

Monticello; now lives in Washington, Iowa