Mandate for Mathis

Gazette Editorial Board

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Liz Mathis' decisive victory in the special Senate District 18 race Tuesday night preserves the Democrats' 26-24 majority edge. We congratulate her and hope that her election means more than continued gridlock in the state Legislature, as opponent Cindy Golding had warned. Republicans hold the House majority.

Mathis gained The Gazette Editorial Board's endorsement in part because of her knowledge and perspective about education and child welfare issues, but, just as important, because we see strong communication skills and the potential to forge relationships among people of widely varying opinions. The Mathis campaign reflected that image and did not resort to attack ads.

Those attributes can serve her and District 18 well if she can persevere in a Statehouse environment that has become increasingly partisan. A tall order for any first-term legislator, but Mathis has a broad background of experience that should be useful.

Mathis' triumph also signals that District 18 remains a place where moderates are appreciated. Her two predecessors, Swati Dandekar, whose resignation to accept a job on the state utilities board set up the special election, and the late Mary Lundby also were known for their willingness to buck party lines. It remains to be seen if Mathis is in their league in that regard, and whether she will take more specific stands on the state's role should in critical economic issues.

Meanwhile, most Iowa voters were picking mayors and city council members given that Tuesday was the regular municipal election date. And in Cedar Rapids, it appears some vocal dissatisfaction with the current council's decisions, especially on flood recovery projects in the downtown area, is held by a relatively small core, at least among those who bothered to vote. Ann Poe, at large, Scott Olson, District 4, and incumbent Monica Vernon, District 2, all posted solid victories over opponents who had been generally critical of the council's direction since the flood and argued that basic services, especially streets, were being shortchanged. The outcome also is at least a modest sign of support for Mayor Ron Corbett and other council members not up for election.

Marion's results send a decided more mixed outcome. Allen Bouska, who ran primarily on a platform that east side businesses' concerns were being ignored by the city in the proposed central corridor plan, defeated Nick Glew, a council incumbent and champion of the plan. However, the other most outspoken critic of the proposal, Dwight Hogan, was defeated by Kim Etzel, and other candidates who are generally supportive of the plan were winners. It will be interesting starting in January.

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