Standing up for fundamental rights under attack

I was born and raised in Iowa, and I have lived in rural District 91 for the last eighteen years with my wife Ericka, and our two kids, Claire and Henry. Ericka is an orthopedic hand surgeon who has treated thousands of Iowans, so she is better known than I am!

I am proud to be a father, husband, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney who represented taxpayers in the Enron bankruptcy and prosecuted Wall Street executives.

I am running for my children and other young people. Their generation is already facing four years of rampant inflation, higher housing costs and student debt than previous generations, as well as higher rates of suicide, overdose, depression, and censorship. And yet they are taught that they are unfairly “privileged” and that they have been born in a country that is uniquely evil. No wonder so many young people are demoralized.

I want our kids to be strong, confident, happy, and skilled. I want them to be able to take care of themselves as adults and then, as they mature, reach outward to serve others. I want them to be proud of themselves, Iowa, and the United States.

Given my experience fighting corruption, I will be a watchdog in the state Legislature. Iowans work hard for their money, so I will guard against waste, inefficiency, and fraud in government spending programs.

Property taxes need to be reformed. Iowa’s property tax rate is now more than double California’s. A local retired couple showed me their property tax bill. Their taxes rose 13% this year alone! That’s unsustainable for anyone on a fixed income.

I also love the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, so I will be an advocate for individual liberties, particularly those protected by the First, Second, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments. All of those liberties are under attack.

I am opposed to eminent domain being used for CO2 pipelines that serve no public utility. If the government can take your property and give it to your neighbor, the idea that we have “property rights” is meaningless. Eminent domain is only appropriate for public use. Otherwise, only the wealthy and powerful have property rights.

Iowans want representatives who will work hard, use common sense, and stand up for basic American principles. I will do those things.

Judd Lawler is the Republican candidate in House District 91.