Voters in Iowa Senate District 26 will choose between Cynthia Oppedal Paschen (D) and incumbent candidate Sen. Dennis Guth (R) to represent them in the Iowa Senate.
According to Ballotpedia, Paschen is an Ames resident and Ames High School graduate. She received her bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University in journalism and mass communication. Paschen currently works as a volunteer for the Ames Public Library and a journalist for the Webster City Freeman-Journal.
Guth did not respond to a request for comments for this article.
The following interview was conducted by email:
How do you plan to help Iowans struggling to find affordable childcare?
“I would encourage Gov. Reynolds to accept federal support for establishing new childcare centers. (She recently turned down this funding, and funding for a summer feeding program for children.) Iowa could establish grants to expand childcare centers, or expand existing Head Start programs to serve more children. An increase to the minimum wage would help to retain childcare staff.”
Where do you stand on reproductive rights for Iowans?
“Iowa is already dead last in the US in OB/GYN physicians per capita. Iowa’s six-week abortion ban impacts our ability to recruit healthcare providers. Delays in emergency medical care and increased maternal and infant mortality are very real outcomes of this legislation. Iowans deserve privacy in their medical decisions. I am in favor of a constitutional amendment assuring Iowans of their right to reproductive health care and contraception.”
What is your stance on lawmakers funding private school vouchers over public education?
“Cuts to Area Education Agencies and private school vouchers are hurting Iowa public schools, especially in rural areas. Senate District 28 has no private high school, those voucher dollars are going outside of the district, primarily to urban areas. Public dollars should go to public schools. The vouchers need to go”
How will you ensure children in Iowa schools are safe from gun violence?
“Iowa would benefit from red flag laws, expanded background checks and safe storage laws. Educators know that arming teachers is not the answer.”
How do you plan to work with members of the opposing party to pass legislation that benefits your district?
“Two things I have found agreement with Republicans and Independents while door knocking: Opposition to the use of eminent domain for the Summit carbon pipeline and support for fully funding our public schools and Area Education Agencies (and opposing vouchers.) Rural Iowans feel left out of the discussion in Des Moines and know that eight years of a Republican trifecta is not working. We need to work together to stop fighting culture wars and concentrate on improving our schools and our water.”
