Senate District 39 could be a ‘turning point’

JOHNSON COUNTY - Five incumbents are not running for re-election to the Iowa State Senate this fall, including Republican Sen. Sandra Greiner in District 39.

Her departure makes that district - which includes all of Keokuk County, much of Washington County, and portions of Johnson County, including North Liberty, Tiffin, Swisher, and Oxford - one of Iowa's battleground districts heading into an election that could see a shift in the state's balance of power.

The Iowa State Senate has a partisan divide of two seats - 26 are held by Democrats and 24 by Republicans. The narrow margin means this fall's election could produce a partisan trifecta in Iowa - Republicans could maintain control in the governor's office and the House of Representatives and gain a majority in the senate.

Both candidates for District 39 - Democrat Kevin Kinney and Republican Michael Moore - have a sense of that broader picture and that many eyes are on them as they compete for the vacant seat.

'This is one of the key seats the Senate needs if the Republicans are going to break even to 25 or get it at 26,” Moore said. 'I know a lot of people are watching this senate race - anyone who is in the political arena at all …

. They know the seat could be the turning point to the Republicans controlling the senate.”

Moore, president and chief executive officer of United Presbyterian Home in Washington, said both parties want what's best for Iowa, but they have different approaches.

'We want to control spending and they want to increase revenue,” he said.

Still, Moore said, he's coming at the race as a businessman. And he hopes Iowa's government can continue functioning better than the national legislature.

'I'm not a politician,” he said. 'It's about getting people around the table and giving them my ideas, and then you start batting them around. My idea probably will change, but we will come out with the best and informed decision instead of being at a stalemate.”

Kinney, a lieutenant with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office and a farmer in Oxford, said he, too, doesn't consider himself a politician. But he's worked with senators and state lawmakers on criminal justice issues, and he saw their work as another 'good way to continue to serve the people.”

'No matter what I am - a Democrat or a Republican - I am representing that district,” he said. 'You have to sit down and work with your constituents. You are representing them.”

Both Kinney and Moore named roads and infrastructure as a big issue facing the district in the next term.

'And farmers are really worried about the Environmental Protection Agency and watershed and water quality,” Moore said.

Moore and Kinney have served on their local school boards and said education - including discussion of the Common Core State Standards Initiative and Board of Regents funding of its public universities - is an issue they'll focus on, if elected.

Kevin Kinney

l Age: 51

l Political party: Democrat

l Hometown: Oxford

l Current occupation: Lieutenant with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, farmer

l Previous political experience: Served on the Clear Creek Amana School Board for nine years

l Highest Education: Took agriculture classes at the Kirkwood Community College

Michael Moore

l Age: 67

l Political party: Republican

l Hometown: Washington

l Current occupation: Chief executive officer and president of United Presbyterian Home, Washington

l Previous political experience: Served on the Washington City Council, Washington Community School Board, and was chairman of the school board

l Highest Education: Bachelor of arts, University of Iowa