Three Iowa City Democrats face off to represent House District 90

IOWA CITY — Three Iowa City Democrats are seeking to represent Iowa House District 90, which covers northern Iowa City.

Andrew Dunn, Christy Wolfe and Adam Zabner are running for the seat currently held by Rep. Christina Bohannan, who is running for Congress.

There are no Republicans running in the primary, which means the June 7 primary could decide who the winner is before the November general election.

Early voting is available until 5 p.m. June 6 at the Auditor's Office, 913 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Drive-through voting is at the Health & Human Services Building parking ramp, 855 S. Dubuque St.

Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 7.

Andrew Dunn

Andrew Dunn’s interest in politics stems from his family’s experience during the 2008 recession. Dunn’s parents lost their jobs and their home when the recession hit.

Dunn, a seventh generation Iowan, decided in 2012 he needed to get involved in politics because working families like his weren’t being advocated for.

Among Dunn’s experience is volunteering for Barack Obama’s re-election campaign, serving as executive director of March for Our Lives Iowa and serving as Sen. Claire Celsi’s legislative aide.

Dunn said House District 90 is one of the most progressive districts in the state.

“That matters,” said Dunn, 23. “I wouldn't run in a district where I didn't feel as though my beliefs and my identity didn't serve in at least some capacity as a good representative of the people.”

Dunn said his priorities include public education, environment, agricultural reforms and affordable housing, among others.

Christy Wolfe

Christy Wolfe is running because she wants to give a voice to teachers and educators, and bring an informed and experienced perspective to the state Capitol. Wolfe said her life experiences will help her if elected.

Wolfe, who grew up in Clinton, has lived in Iowa City since 1995 when she returned to Iowa for law school. She has a law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law, as well as a Ph.D. in education with an emphasis on policy from UI’s College of Education.

Wolfe, 54, was a tenured professor at Coe College’s education department for 15 years. She worked as legislative clerk for her sister Rep. Mary Wolfe, D-Clinton, for two sessions.

“I can get right to work, building coalitions with legislators I know are ready to make changes happen,” Wolfe said.

Among Wolfe’s top priorities are funding education, working for sensible gun restrictions and improving the health care system, including protecting a woman’s right to a safe abortion.

Adam Zabner

Organizer Adam Zabner is running because he believes Iowa should reinvest in young people and education, as well as be a leader on big issues such as climate change.

Zabner, 23, was born and raised in Iowa City. His parents came to Iowa from Venezuela 30 years ago, intending to only stay for three years but decided to stay longer.

“I’m running because, today, it’s difficult for my friends to make that same choice to stay,” Zabner said. “My belief in the Iowa that welcomed my parents is the reason I’ve worked to elect Democrats here.”

Zabner has worked as a field organizer for political campaigns and the Democratic Party. He was an organizer for Pete Buttigieg and then as the regional organizing director in Northwest Iowa for the state party’s 2020 coordinated campaign.

Among Zabner’s top priorities if elected include making public universities and community colleges tuition free for students who commit to staying in Iowa after graduation; connecting Iowa City to Chicago via Amtrak to spur economic growth; and restoring bargaining rights to strengthen unions and raise the minimum wage.

Discussing state issues

At a forum last month hosted by the League of Women Voters of Johnson County, the three candidates discussed local control, education and abortion.

For local control, all three candidates expressed their support and the importance of letting communities make their own decisions.

A proposal by Gov. Kim Reynolds to shift taxpayer funding for public schools to scholarships for private school tuition assistance did not pass the Iowa Legislature this year.

Statehouse Democrats have been unified in their opposition to the proposal — and all three House District 90 candidates also oppose this proposal. The three candidates stressed the importance of sharing information and impacts of the bill, especially to rural Iowans.

It is widely expected the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn all or part of Roe v. Wade. All three Democratic candidates said all Iowans deserve the right to a legal and safe abortion.

Zabner said Democrats “need to stand up and fight.” In his response, Dunn said the solution is to codify Roe v. Wade.

Wolfe recalled volunteering at an Indiana abortion and women’s health care clinic that was receiving death threats in the 1990s.

“I'm kind of tired that 30 years later we're still fighting for this right,” Wolfe said. “ … I’m tired of this argument. Women have the right to choose.”

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