The Iowa Senate needs workhorses

Sometimes in life, there are show horses and workhorses. As a lifelong farmer, I’m

proud to be a workhorse.

When I retired from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, I didn’t run for state Senate to hobnob with insiders at the State Capitol. I ran to get things done. And, every year I’ve been in Des Moines, I’ve been successful.

I helped create Iowa’s first-ever Office of Human Trafficking. I backed bills to strengthen sexual assault laws and opposed every attempt to defund our police. I authored legislation that made hemp legal for agricultural purposes and supported expanding tax credits for beginning farmers. Last year, I worked across the aisle to ensure families across Iowa got a much-deserved tax cut.

Iowa is better off when both parties work together. Every week during the legislative session, I have breakfast with my Republican peers. My re-election campaign has been endorsed by several Republicans including Rep. Jarad Klein and my former opponent Mike Moore. Like most folks, I don’t worry about what political party someone belongs to. I’ll work with anyone to make Iowa a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Iowans deserve leaders who are willing to put their community above their own personal ambitions. Unfortunately, some politicians on both sides have forgotten this. When I say I’m going to do something, I do it and I don’t go back on my word. Now, that doesn’t mean you’ll like everything I do, but you’ll know exactly where I stand and why. Plus, I’ll always show up to answer your questions. In fact, getting to hear from Iowans about issues they care about is my favorite part of the job.

That’s how Noah’s Law came to fruition.

The Herring family contacted me after their son died tragically at the Coralville Lake. Four people were present when Noah drowned, but none of them called 911 and they withheld evidence from police. Much to my dismay, there wasn’t a law on the books making their actions a crime. Noah’s Law changed that. But, when we started working on the legislation, a lot of skeptics said I’d never get it done. That didn’t deter me. I worked behind-the-scenes with both parties to secure bipartisan support and Noah’s Law passed unanimously.

I know Iowans appreciate workhorses. So, in the upcoming election, I ask you to support a workhorse for State Senate.

Kevin Kinney is the Democratic candidate in Senate District 46.