Voters in Iowa House District 49 will choose between incumbent candidate Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D) and Eric Cooper (L) to represent them in the Iowa Legislature.
According to Ballotpedia, Wessel-Kroeschell was born in Ames, Iowa, and currently resides in Ames. She has earned a bachelor’s degree in English teaching from the University of Northern Iowa and a master’s degree in public administration from Iowa State University. Wessel-Kroeschell previously represented House District 45 from 2005 to 2023 before being redistricted to House District 49 in 2024.
Cooper did not respond to a request to comment for this article.
The following interview with Wessel-Kroeschell was conducted by email:
How do you plan to help Iowans struggling to find affordable childcare?
Rep. Wessel-Kroeschell: “Working parents struggle to find affordable quality child care in Iowa. Children need to be nurtured, talked to, and supported by the adults in their lives, especially during their first five years of life. When caregivers fail to meet the emotional, physical, and mental needs of children during these important years, that’s when future mental health issues begin. Here are some ideas that Iowa needs to explore to make sure Iowa parents can feel confident their children are getting the best care possible:
- Financial support to working families
- Public preschool for 3 and up
- Tax credit for all working families
- Develop a mixed delivery option (private/public)
- Invest in a physical infrastructure
- Continue to professionalize the workforce
- Increase and expand tax credits.”
Where do you stand on reproductive rights for Iowans?
Rep. Wessel-Kroeschell: ”Every Iowan deserves the right to make their own health care decision. The abortion ban, which the Supreme Court allowed to go into effect in July, is extremely dangerous for Iowans. It ties the hands of medical professionals who took an oath to “do no harm.” This bill must be repealed. I support a Constitutional Amendment that would guarantee a right to reproductive health care. Assuring Iowans have a right to the full spectrum of reproductive health care is a must to grow Iowa. We have the lowest rate of OB/GYNs in the country. As our maternity centers are closing in rural Iowa, pregnant Iowans are driving long distances for prenatal care and to deliver. It is harder and harder to safely start a family. If we want Iowa to grow we must respect the needs of growing families.”
What is your stance on lawmakers funding private school vouchers over public education?
Rep. Wessel-Kroeschell: ”So much damage has been done to schools with book bans, under funding, using public money to pay for private schools, cuts to the AEAs and not respecting the autonomy of students and the expertise of educators. I support fully funding public education and trusting educators to work with parents to create the best education policy. Additionally, we should provide free breakfast and lunch to all Iowa students.”
How will you ensure children in Iowa schools are safe from gun violence?
Rep. Wessel-Kroeschell: “Ninety percent of school shooters are current or former students. I support programs to make sure all students feel connected to their schools and assure that their mental health needs are met. I also support common sense gun laws.”
How do you plan to work with members of the opposing party to pass legislation that benefits your district?
Rep. Wessel-Kroeschell: “I am always open to working with anyone, Democrat or Republican who has the best interest of Iowans in mind. When I hear a good idea, I don’t care who it comes from. We must work together. The state has become very politicized and it is hurting Iowans.”
