Fong: GOP has to address more than marriage issue

CEDAR RAPIDS - Christian Fong is running for the Republican nomination for governor on a pro-family platform, but says the issue atop most Iowa families' agendas probably isn't same-sex marriage.

Fong, a Cedar Rapids business executive, says in an interview that will air Saturday on KCRG-TV 9 that while he supports a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union of one man and one woman, Republicans' pro-family agenda must go beyond a single issue.

"It's certainly is the topic of the day," the 32-year-old Iowa native says on "To the Point," which debuts at 5 p.m. Saturday, but the issues most Iowa families are dealing with are economic. They're concerned about their jobs and about a state government that is taking on generational debt Iowans will be repaying for 25 years.

Fong's rivals for the Republican nomination to challenge Gov. Chet Culver include Bob Vander Plaats and Rep. Christopher Rants, both of Sioux City, Rep. Rod Roberts of Carroll, U.S. Rep. Steve King of Kiron and Iowa Sens. Paul McKinley of Chariton and Jerry Behn of Boone.

Fong called for an immediate 5 percent cut in state spending to reduce the tax burden on Iowa families. A starting point would be the $300 million in savings GOP legislators identified, but the Democratic majority rejected in approving a $6.2 billion budget. Government is too big, too expensive and doesn't deliver service in a "citizen-friendly" way, he says.

"The reality is we have to have smaller government, we have to cut back on spending because we can't keep spending a billion dollars more than we get in the door," he says. "Billion dollar deficits are unacceptable in Iowa."

On the issue of same-sex marriage, Fong says "we can't label people as an issue ... condemn them for what they hold so deeply."

"In Iowa, we are big enough to deal with tough issues and tough topics and do it in a respectful and honoring way," he says. "That encourages dialogue rather than an I'm right-you're wrong style of politics."

For a full list of "To the Point" air dates/times, visit www.kcrg.com.