Bobby Kaufmann has proved his worth

In 2012, Cedar County voters were largely responsible for Republican Bobby Kaufmann's significant win in House District 73, which also includes the town of Wilton in Muscatine County and an eastern portion of Johnson County surrounding Solon.

That race against Democrat Dick Schwab was expected to be close, but backlash from a negative mailer by the Schwab campaign and residual primary turmoil among Johnson County Democrats provided Kaufmann, the son of the newest chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, a noteworthy victory. Some questioned at the time if Kaufmann - young by statehouse standards - was ready for the challenge and, instead of worrying about the noise, Kaufmann quietly went to work.

During the past four years, he has proved his critics wrong. There is no good reason for constituents to seek his ouster.

Throughout our discussions with him on statewide issues, he repeatedly ignored political sound bites to offer more thoughtful analysis that, at times, separated him from his party. For instance, after working diligently on funding for the voluntary nutrient reduction program, Kaufmann said he was 'shocked” when a Branstad line-item veto turned back the clock.

'Obviously, Gov. Branstad has that authority,” Kaufmann said, 'but it was still disappointing.”

He plans to engage in deliberate and direct communication with the executive branch in an attempt to stymie any future funding surprises.

His willingness to push a little harder is one of many reasons he's earned a repeat in the Iowa House.

' Comments: (319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com