Lundby earns return

Two years ago, state Rep. Daniel Lundby, D-Marion, won his House District 68 seat by just 117 votes from a GOP incumbent. And it promises to be close in 2014 as Lundby is challenged by Republican Ken Rizer of Cedar Rapids.

Many voters in the district, including a portion of Cedar Rapids, Marion, Bertram and Ely, have seen a barrage of mailers and some TV ads attacking and counterattacking on an array of issues, some misleading.

Shut out that noise, and it comes down to Lundby's service in the House against Rizer's impressive resume, including work as executive vice president of operations at Goodwill of the Heartland and service as an Air Force colonel.

Lundby served during a remarkably active and successful General Assembly, which saw big bipartisan compromises on health care and property taxes. As compelling as Rizer's experience is, we'd like to see Lundby continue in the House.

Lundby, whose mother long represented the area in the Iowa House and Senate, has a keen understanding of his district. He's called for legislation to freeze property taxes on homes 100 years old or older, which cost more to keep up. Marion has an abundance of these older homes.

Although Lundby is among many candidates whistling past a proposed gas tax increase, he's the only one who stood at gas pumps to poll his constituents.

We think Lundby's enthusiasm and passion serves his constituents well.

' Comments: (319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com