Democrat incumbent Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, retained her seat in the Iowa House of Representatives, defeating Libertarian candidate Eric Cooper with 75.2 percent of the vote.

Cooper and Wessel-Kroeschell each have ties with Iowa State. Cooper is an associate professor in psychology, while Wessel-Kroeschell’s husband Tom is ISU’s associate athletic director, media relations.

“It’s great to win,” Wessel-Kroeschell, who was re-elected for a sixth consecutive term, said. “Now we absolutely have to do something about the wage gap, income inequality and growing the middle class.”

Wessel-Kroeschell said she hopes Governor Branstad continues to come around on educational issues facing the state.

“I absolutely support a tuition freeze, although the legislature does not control tuition,” she said. “We control what we give to the regents so they can control and keep down tuition.”

Wessel-Kroeschell said something needs to be done because the current system is not working for students.

“I just keep hearing from kids who don’t have anything to go to school on,” Wessel-Kroeschell said. “They end up with this unreasonable debt that they’ll be paying off for the rest of their lives. We need to freeze tuition for at least another year.”

Cooper said he has a different view of how funds should be spent on higher education.

“I’d like to see us change the current system,” Cooper said. “[I want] to attach a subsidy to the student and let [them] go to any accredited college in the state. That’s a much better solution than what we’ve got now.”

The election marked Cooper’s eighth defeat in as many runs for state office since 2000. Although he was already the losingest candidate on the ballot going into the election, his 24.4 percent of the vote was the most he has received in any race.

“My goal is always to get 10 percent,” Cooper said. “I’m thrilled, I think it’s great for a third party candidate to get 25 percent.”

Cooper attributed his relative success to persistence. 

“I’ve run a lot,” Cooper said. “I think I’m building up a reputation in the district. I think people are starting to know me.”

Both candidates share similar views on reforming state marijuana laws. Wessel-Kroeschell advocates for a medical marijuana program, while Cooper favors full legalization.

Wessel-Kroeschell focused her campaign on civil rights, voting rights, property tax relief for small businesses and environmental protection.

“He’s certainly entertaining and says some interesting things,” Wessel-Kroeschell said of Cooper.

Cooper made his future plans clear.

“Absolutely, I’ll run next time,” he said.