Siegwarth: Get money, politics out of the way

I want to be your next governor. As the only independent candidate, I have a different vision for Iowa.

I've been a natural resource biologist the past 26 years and am located at Big Spring near Elkader. Before that, I ran our family farm in Jackson County. I'm an Iowa State University graduate, with a master's degree from the University of Arkansas.

My running mate, Natalia Blaskovich, is an equally passionate voice for both natural resources and Iowa families. She grew up on a farm in western Iowa and graduated from the University of Iowa and UI School of Law. Talia is one of those rare people who can light up a room.

You won't see me on any paid TV commercials or in a mailbox full of flyers. My ideas stem from an understanding of our land, water and natural resources, and from listening to people. I know the land and people of Iowa from the top of every watershed to the mouth of every river.

As an independent candidate, I've experienced firsthand why most voters have lost their voice at the Capitol. Whether it's big money control, political party divisions, purposeful media bias, paid lobbyists or the political process itself, these things all take away both your voice and choice.

There are so many important issues like health care, good-paying jobs, education, rights and freedoms, taxes, rural economics and natural resources. To achieve the best solutions, we need to get money and politics out of the way first. I can do that because I'm not in a party and haven't taken money from a single special interest or political action group.

My top four issues are:

1) Overcoming divisiveness between political parties;

2) Breaking the big money and special interest influence of our political system;

3) Overhauling the legislative process;

4) Putting our natural resources onto an even playing field with the other issues.

Please take the time to look further at garyforgov.org, clearwaterparty.com or my Facebook page, which gives you a direct voice to comment 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I personally make every post and respond to every comment.

Chances are, if we're doing what's best for Iowa seven generations from now, we're likely doing what's best for us today.

' Gary Siegwarth is a no-party candidate for governor of Iowa.

All candidate guest columns in the race for Governor:

' Fred Hubbell

' Jake Porter

' Kim Reynolds

' Gary Siegwarth