Leadership for rural and small town Linn County

Election 2024 is here, and national pundits are trying to force their agenda upon us. But House District 83 is about the 11 small towns and numerous unincorporated communities that comprise the district.

We live near the second-largest city in Iowa, but we have distinctly different issues. During my visits with city councils in every town, it became obvious that we share the same values and challenges – but they are different from those of the metro area. We chose to embrace small schools, open spaces, and volunteer community leadership. We are concerned about our volunteer fire departments, farmers, and main-street businesses that form our unique character.

As your state representative, I have fought against the bureaucracy that threatens our communities. I have received endorsements from National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), and Iowa Farm Bureau, for my efforts to protect small businesses and farmers from government overreach.

Prior to being elected in 2022, I helped create coalitions defending our rural areas against urban and corporate giants. During the push to consolidate school districts, I worked to keep our schools independent. When a group attempted to create “city-county” government and eliminate our town councils, we successfully defeated them. Republican and Democrat administrations appointed me to serve on federal, state, and local commissions, specifically to represent rural interests.

Decades ago, my husband and I chose Iowa as the place to raise our family. Together we built businesses, creating high paying jobs right here. We weathered tough times and, like many of you, had to make difficult financial decisions. Our six kids learned the value and rewards of hard work. As grandparents, it’s pure joy when our grandchildren join us on the farm.

Now, imagine that joy threatened by a corporation seeking to take the farm by eminent domain for their private profit. That situation is very real for many of my constituents and hundreds of other communities across Iowa. As your representative, I have joined 37 other representatives and senators suing to protect the constitutional property rights of Iowans.

As a state, we are facing a mental health crisis, an exponential increase in sex and human trafficking, an electric grid at risk, sky-rocketing real estate taxes, and many other serious challenges. You need a representative who has experience and is willing to fight for you against the “powers that be.” I am honored to serve you and am asking for your vote.

Rep. Cindy Golding is the Republican candidate in House District 83.