District 18 first

Gazette Editorial Board

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Swati Dandekar's resignation from her Iowa Senate District 18 seat to accept the governor's appointment to the Iowa Utilities Board last week stirred political turmoil locally and statewide.

There will be a special election as part of the Nov. 8 general election to name the Marion Democrat's successor. It's an important political decision because the outcome will determine whether the Democrats will maintain their 26-24 majority edge in the Senate or the Republicans will even up things at 25-25.

The Democrats already have picked their candidate, Liz Mathis, chief information officer for non-profit agency Four Oaks and a former KCRG-TV9 news anchor who resides in Robins.

Tonight, the Republicans are expected to decide among three candidates: former U.S. Attorney Matt Dummermuth, of Robins, and businesswomen Mary Rathje, of Marion, and Cindy Golding, of Cedar Rapids.

This high-profile race likely will draw considerable outside attention and funding. The candidates offer a variety of backgrounds for voters to consider. And both finalists selected by their parties to campaign for the seat should remember they're running first to represent District 18, not as a political pawn of any special interest.

Let's have an intense but civil campaign that engages the voters on issues they care about.

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