Iowa House District 73 candidates say they will keep local government experience in mind

Democratic opponents David Johnson and Dennis Boedeker say their time in local government is something they'll draw from as representatives in the Iowa Legislature.

Boedker, 62, of Lowden, is a former supervisor in Cedar County, where for 12 years he worked on a variety of boards and commissions ranging from mental health to insurance and judicial boards.

Johnson, 48, said his time on the West Branch City Council showed him the challenges that Iowa communities face and how partisian budget delays in Des Moines can impact how cities plan.

The two Democrats and military veterans are campaigning to be the Democratic nominee in Iowa House District 73. Whoever wins the June 3 primary will face Republican incumbent Rep. Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton in the general election this fall. The district encompasses Cedar County with small portions of Johnson and the city of Wilton.

Johnson said he'd remain leery of corporate tax breaks as a lawmaker and try to focus instead on investing in the state's communities. He also would reform tax increment financing laws.

'I feel that the state of Iowa in general has shifted away from investing into the communities and instead buying into this tax giveaway philosophy to corporations,” Johnson said.

Johnson said maintaining funding for state institutions of higher education and kindergarten through 12th grade is another issue that's not only critical for those in school but also for communities.

Boedeker called Iowa's funding for kindergarten through 12th grade 'embarrassing” and said lawmakers need to reinstitute allowable growth.

'(Schools) need more funding and need to know about it sooner,” Boedeker said.

Johnson became interested in politics after he discovered how one person could impact policy. In 2003, Johnson sued his employer, the University of Iowa, to change its paternal leave policies. The lawsuit failed but he continued advocating for the change, which happened years later.

'It just takes one person who's willing to put it out on the line to initiate change,” Johnson said. 'It's not that one person can change it all, certainly not, but that one person can be the spark that lights the fuse.”

Boedeker said he's running to be the rural voice for the state. Boedeker grew up milking cows, raising livestock and growing crops and still farms on 160 acres of his own. He said he understands the issues that face rural Iowans and wants to make sure those issues aren't forgotten in the state capitol. He supports the gas tax to improve the state's infrastructure, which would support all Iowans including farmers who depend on good road conditions to transport livestock and crops.

'Rural people are not getting proper representation in Des Moines,” he said.

Boedeker said he wants to see the minimum wage raised and would make it one of the first things he tackles. He said the minimum wage is an issue that also impacts rural citizens.

Johnson also supports raising the minimum wage but would push for $15 an hour. Most Democrats in favor of an increased minimum wage are advocating for $10.10. Johnson said his decision is calculated based on a scenario where a minimum wage worker would try to obtain a higher education degree. He said he estimated expenses from in-state tuition and room and board.

'That amount, to me, makes sense because it enables a person to better themselves without going into debt,” Johnson said.

Dennis Boedeker

'Age: 62

'ccupation: Farmer

'Previous Elected Experience: Cedar County Board of Supervisors

'Hometown: Lowden

David Johnson

'Age: 48

'Current: West Branch

'Occupation: Senior Database Administrator in the University of Iowa Registrars' Office

'Previous Elected Experience: West Branch City Council member

'Hometown: West Branch