Two Democratic candidates for the 45th District seat in the Iowa House of Representatives had a chance to talk about what they thought was most important for Ames residents and students.

Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, 518 Ash Ave., and Tara van Brederode, 2007 Friley Road, were at the ISU Democrats meeting Wednesday to talk about important points of their campaign to a small group of people. Two candidates, Leonard Larsen, 3158 S. Dakota Ave., and Shawn Carter, 801 Crawford Ave. #3, were unable to attend.

The candidates in attendance were each given about five minutes to talk about the issues affecting students, especially higher education.

Wessel-Kroeschell spoke first, telling the assembly her family’s history at Iowa State.

She said her father was a longtime employee of the university and her husband, Tom, still works as associate athletics director for media relations.

Wessel-Kroeschell earned her master’s degree in public administration at Iowa State, she said. She mentioned Iowa State’s great history as the first land-grant university, and the need to maintain its status among the best.

“For ISU to maintain its status as a premiere land-grant school, we must not shortchange them at the state house,” Wessel-Kroeschell said.

“Continued cuts to education in Iowa will lead to years of recouping our losses. As your state representative, I will make quality education a high priority.”

She talked about her experiences working as an ACCESS board member and what it would be like working as part of the minority party in the Iowa House. Wessel-Kroeschell said she thought it would be a very difficult role to play.

“The minority looks to make incremental changes in plans that the majority makes,” Wessel-Kroeschell said.

Van Brederode began her presentation with a story about why she wanted to be involved with the government.

She started her career as a lawyer, but before she passed the bar exam, she had worked at a child advocacy center and she saw a colleague helping a 12-year-old girl who was pregnant.

“What I needed to learn wasn’t how to be a lawyer, I needed to learn how what was best for children and families,” van Brederode said.

After passing the bar exam, she said she wanted to learn how to help these families, but found a lot of startling information. She said she found that most decisions on policies regarding children and families were based on minimal, shaky information.

“There is an ideology that blocks the information from coming through,” van Brederode said. “We need the best possible opportunities for our [children and families].”

Her work in the state legislature would focus on increasing information and awareness of such issues, she said.

When asked about how she would deal with being in the minority party at the Statehouse, she said she was willing to stand and shout against the wind, but didn’t think she would have to do that for very long.

“I think [Democrats] have an excellent chance to take back both the House and Senate [during this election],” van Brederode said.