Christian Andrews, Iowa House District 95

The Gazette sent a questionnaire to Iowa Legislature candidates representing Linn, Johnson and surrounding counties. The responses are unedited, unless to correct spelling or punctuation. 

To see other candidates' responses, visit our Election 2020 Candidates page. 

Christian Andrews faces Republican Charlie McClintock in the election for Iowa House District 95. McClintock did not respond to the questionnaire.

What are the three biggest issues facing the state? How would you address them?

1. Our first job in Des Moines is to make sure we have enough support for our frontline workers dealing with the pandemic everyday. This means I intend to work with everyone in the legislature to pass a bill addressing the lack of PPE, supplies, and Covid-19 tests and increase the number of places tests can be administered and tested so that we keep the spread of this disease under control.

2. Our 2nd Job is to pass emergency funding to keep rural hospitals and clinics open and fund Ambulance and EMS services, recognizing them as Essential services to cover our rural areas especially during this pandemic.

3. Our 3rd Job is to support our local small business owners so they can keep their doors open and support our fellow neighbors who may have lost their job or lost income due to the pandemic. This means helping those who are still unemployed stay in their apartment or home and freezing utilities like gas, water, and electric supply from being shut off.

What, if anything, needs to change about the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic?

The first step is more robust testing. It's essential to stop these outbreaks before they happen, especially in nursing homes and our schools. Everyone deserves access to quick, reliable, and accessible testing. The second step is investing in more contact tracers to make sure that when there is an infection, we can stop the spread. It's time to start listening to scientists, stop putting politics first, and start saving lives.

What do you consider as budget priorities? What would you do to ensure these see funding? Which areas would you target funding reductions?

My top budget priorities are education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Our schools and teachers need to understand how valuable they are. We can't do anything to plan for our future without investing in our children. We need to make sure that our schools are getting the funding they need in order to get back to being the best public schools in the country. I am a firm believer that everyone should have access to quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare. As the father of a son with a pre-existing condition, I know what it felt like to lose my ability to fight for my family's health care when the state legislature took away rights from public workers. Iowa has some of the worst bridges in the country. We need a massive reinvestment in our infrastructure so that we can repair our crumbling roads and bridges, while creating thousands of new jobs.

What, if any, changes would you make to the way the state funds its K-12 education system?

We need to make sure that our educators know they are a priority, let them know they can count on an increase in spending next year, and let them know they have funding two years in advance. It's our job in the Legislature to make sure that every kid gets a world class education. We also need to make sure that our community colleges have adequate funding for programs to help with more of our unemployed and underemployed.

What should the state do to further address water quality issues? What, if anything, should the state do to increase funding for water quality improvements?

Every Iowan deserves clean water. I find it irresponsible that some people in this state are without access to clean water. We need to follow the science to see what is the best way to do this and we need to bring various groups together to reduce the nutrient loss that ends up worsening our rivers, lakes, and water systems.

What should the state do to address the availability of safe and affordable child care across Iowa?

We need to invest in our working parents. We should increase grants to open and expand existing child care facilities. This is also a great opportunity to partner with local small businesses that are able to assist in these services. We absolutely also need to expand Child Care Assistance as well as the Child Care and Dependent Care Tax Credit.

What is your response to recent protests calling for racial justice? What changes to law enforcement policy or budgeting do you support? 

We've long known that there are racial disparities in our country, and this pandemic has only magnified them. It's important to acknowledge that our underrepresented communities are often underserved. Black and brown communities are being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, dying at higher rates than white communities. They are also more likely to be victims of police violence than white people. However, I do not support defunding the police. Law enforcement performs a difficult and dangerous job. Police need training and resources to do their jobs properly and ensure everyone gets home safely. I'm committed to supporting police in a way that promotes trust with the community they serve. That requires listening to marginalized communities and coming together to find the solutions we need. I feel supported and protected by our community and there is nowhere I would rather raise my children. I will work tirelessly to ensure that everyone in our district feels the same.

Will you support a constitutional amendment to restore voting rights for felons?

Yes. This is bipartisan, and the only fair way we can have elections is if we make it as easy as possible for everyone to vote.

Will you approve the governor's IWILL tax relief/mental health plan?

No. Not in the form presented last session.

Will you seek voter approval of a constitutional amendment on abortion (SJR2001/HJR2004)?

No. I support a woman's right to make her own health care decisions.

Will you support a ban hand-held electronic devices while driving (SF2248/HF2375)?

Undecided. Of course we need to crack down on distracted driving and condemn it on every level. I have reservations though in regards to the enforcement of this law. I can very well imagine a situation where certain groups of people have this law enforced at different rates than others.

Will you support allowing financial compensation for college athletes (SF2330/HF2282)?

Yes

Will you support making daylight saving time permanent (SF2077/HF2059)?

Undecided. I need more information on the economic and social impacts of such legislation.

Will you support allowing end-of-life options for patients with terminal conditions (SF2156/HF2302)?

Yes. If an individual and their family, with the consultation of a medical professional deem there is a safe way to do it, then it is their decision.

Will you support closing loopholes to protect mobile home occupants/tenants (HF2351/SF2238)?

Yes

Will you support increasing the state minimum hourly wage from $7.25?

Yes. Every Iowan deserves to make a living wage.

Will you support raising the state tobacco tax by $1 to $2.36 per pack?

No 

Will you support modifying or repealing Iowa's bottle bill law?

Yes

Will you support requiring helmets for minors operating motorcycles/motorized bikes?

No 

Will you support eliminating criminal penalties for possessing marijuana?

Yes 

Will you support establishing a moratorium on constructing large-scale animal feeding facilities?

No. This is a local issue that should be decided by local boards of supervisors.

Will you support creating an 'extreme risk' or 'red flag' firearms protective order?

Yes. With proper due process protections. This is a common sense way to protect a person and their family during a mental health crisis.