Rathje leans on business credentials and solutions Steve Rathje is running for 1st District congressional seat

Steve Rathje says his business background and solutions-minded approach to the nation's challenges sets him apart in his campaign for Congress.

'If you elect me, I'm not the person who will say, ‘I'll do this. I'll do that,” the 58-year-old Rathje said. 'I‘m not a person who makes promises. I'm a person who finds solutions.”

After starting as a janitor at a machine shop, Rathje worked his way up to machinist and supervisor before branching out on his own in 1992.

Rathje founded and serves as chief executive of International Procurement Services, and later Genesis Group. His businesses find domestic suppliers for companies that had been outsourcing production to foreign plants, he said.

He's gained experience reducing waste, cutting spending and finding practical solutions, which he said will serve him well in elected office.

He is proposing a six-tier economic plan, in which tax cuts are a key tool to stimulate spending and job creation. Other elements are:

'A 60-day income, payroll and corporate tax holiday, which Rathje estimates would cost $22.8 billion but add at least $1.3 million jobs averaging $50,000 per year in pay and benefits.

'A reduction in the corporate tax rate to a maximum rate of 15 percent, which Rathje estimates would have a net cost of $165 billion but would open $234 billion for reinvestment into the businesses and would create 4.7 million jobs.

Other elements include a college graduation plan, a new business tax plan, an income tax reduction and a free market health care plan.

He said he stands for traditional social values, such as the belief that life begins at conception and marriage is between a man and woman. On immigration, he opposes amnesty for undocumented immigrants and supports the construction of a fence on the border with Mexico.

Rathje said while he 'will not run from” his beliefs, the economy and jobs are the focus of his campaign and are the issues Americans most care about.

His family owns Rathje Construction, and Steve Rathje also has name recognition from several previous attempts to win election to the U.S. House in 2010 and 2012 and U.S. Senate in 2008.

But Rathje faces some challenges including a string of election shortfalls, and he is trailing more than 2-to-1 in fundraising.

Rathje has raised $147,710, and has about $33,718 cash on hand, which puts him well behind his GOP rivals. Rod Blum, a Dubuque businessman, who has raised $302,731 and has $210,767 cash on hand. Gail Boliver, a Marshalltown attorney, has raised $3,481.

Rathje said he is not concerned about past elections or the fundraising gap. He said he is confident he has what he needs to win.

'If I was to fold up my tent and go home, I would have gone home a long time ago,” Rathje said.

'Comments: (319) 339-3177; brian.morelli@sourcemedia.net

Bio

Steve Rathje

'Age

: 58

'Occupation

: Founder and CEO of International Procurement Services and the Genesis Group.

'Previous public office held

: None

'Hometown

: Cedar Rapids