Former U.S. attorney, TV anchorwoman join race in Iowa Senate 18

A former U.S. attorney and a former Eastern Iowa television anchorwoman are joining the field of candidates to fill a vacancy in Iowa Senate 18 in northern and western Linn County.

Matt Dummermuth of Robins, who served as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Iowa 2007 to 2009, has joined the race for the Republican nomination. Now in private practice with Whitaker Hagenow GBMG, Dummermuth led leading an office of 60 employees including 26 attorneys in prosecuting federal crimes and handling civil matters in the Northern District, which includes Linn County.

Democrat Liz Mathis of Robins, who anchored television newscasts for KWWL in Waterloo and more recently at KCRG-TV9 in Cedar Rapids, announced her candidacy Tuesday. She is the chief information officer for Four Oaks, a non-profit child welfare, juvenile justice, and behavioral health agency founded headquartered in Cedar Rapids.

“Now more than ever, Iowa needs genuine leaders who are not afraid to think outside the box and tackle tough issues in a principled, conservative manner,” Dummermuth said.

“I want to use my extensive government experience and small business background to help Iowa become an even better place to grow a business, find a job, and raise a family,” he said. “The state should help foster such an environment by effectively and efficiently carrying out its essential responsibilities, limiting the reach and size of government beyond its core functions, and protecting Iowans' economic, political and religious liberties in the process.”

“People all over are trying to get back on their feet from this lingering national recession,” Mathis said. “They need jobs and they need stability for their families, and all we're getting from our government is gridlock. It must change. I pledge to work with Democratic and Republican legislators and Gov. Terry Branstad to make a difference for the people in District 18.”

“We need new policies that will help our Main Street businesses thrive, bring in business and spur job growth in our local communities,” she said.  “My husband and I have experienced that first-hand in our family's business. We also need to stop short-changing our educational system and we need to address support of our area's most vulnerable children who are affected by poverty and neglect. I am passionate about those things.”

A special election is scheduled Nov. 8 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Swati Dandekar, a Marion Democrat, from the Iowa Senate. She accepted Republican Gov. Terry Branstad's appointment to the Iowa Utilities Board.

The election has special significance because Democrats control the Senate 26-24. A GOP win Nov. 8 would deadlock the chamber and could open the door for Republicans to advance their agenda, including putting a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage on the ballot and a variety of tax and budget issues.

Republicans will select a candidate at a nomination convention at 7 p.m. Sept. 22 at the Longbranch Hotel & Convention Center, 90 Twixt Town Rd., NE, Cedar Rapids.

In addition to Dummermuth, Cedar Rapids businesswomen Cindy Golding and Mary Rathje, are seeking the nomination. Party leaders say there may be others joining the race.

Democrats, who met in recent days to vet two possible candidates, will make the nomination official at a convention following their regular monthly Central Committee meeting Sept. 28, 2011 at the Hiawatha Community Center: 101 Emmons St. Hiawatha.

The deadline for candidates to get on the ballot is Oct. 14.

Senate District 18 covers all of t Marion, Fairfax, Palo, Hiawatha, Robins, Alburnett, Center Point, Walker, Coggon, Prairieburg and part of Walford.