Iowa State Sen. Janet Petersen is running unopposed for a fourth term representing her Des Moines-based state Senate district.
Iowa Senate District 18 includes Downtown and Sherman Hill, Woodland Heights, North of Grand, Grays Lake, Greenwood Historic, Salisbury Oaks, Ingersoll Park, Linden Heights, Westwood, Waterbury, Waveland Park, and Waveland Woods. It covers parts of Des Moines, including parts of. , Beaverdale, Lower Beaver and Merle Hay neighborhoods.
Petersen (D-Des Moines) was first elected to the Senate in 2012 after serving six terms in the Iowa House of Representatives. She is the only candidate running for the seat.
To help voters, the Des Moines Registrar sent questions to all federal and Des Moines area congressional candidates running for political office this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
The primary election is scheduled for June 4th, ahead of the general election on November 5th.
more:Early voting for the June 4th Iowa primary election has begun. Here's what you need to know:
Who is the incumbent Janet Petersen?
Year: 53
party: Democratic Party
Where did you grow up: Des Moines
Town where I currently live: Des Moines
education: Graduated from Johnston High School. He is a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Northern Iowa.Drake University Master of Arts
Profession: Congressman and co-founder of Healthy Birth Day, Inc.
Political experience and civic activities:
- Iowa State Senator 3 terms
- 6-term Iowa House of Representatives
- 2017 Midwest Leadership Conference, State Government Council Chair
- Healthy Birth Day, Inc. Co-founder and Director
- Plymouth Congregational Church Youth Leadership Team
What are your top priorities if you are elected?
Petersen: My biggest challenge is helping improve the daily lives of Iowans. Culture war issues are holding back Iowans. I believe in fully funding education. Public money should be spent on public schools, not private school vouchers. I believe in reproductive freedom and keeping politicians out of the doctor's office. I believe in addressing the real issues facing Iowans. It's about making Iowa a safer place to give birth. Protect in vitro fertilization, family planning, and safe and legal abortion care. Fixing our state's worst child sex abuse laws in the country. Lowering Iowa's No. 2 cancer ranking. and protect Iowa's seniors, our water and our environment.
What policies would you support to improve Iowa's education system?
Petersen: We can make Iowa number one in public education again. This starts with electing members of Congress who support public education. Governor Reynolds and state Republicans have over-invested in private school vouchers and under-invested in public education. I support spending public dollars on public education, investing in universal child care and preschool, and putting higher education and apprenticeship opportunities within the economic reach of more Iowans. . I oppose policies designed to bully Iowa students, teachers, and librarians. Banning curricula, books, sex education, sports, and toilets is what dictators do. I support policies that help children learn and reach their full potential.
What do you think Iowa's tax policy should be? Do you think the state's priority should be lowering rates and spending on services for Iowans?
Petersen: I support a fair and diverse tax system that protects Iowans from increased property taxes, sales taxes, fees, penalties, tuition increases, and other hidden taxes. In recent years, Republican lawmakers and Governor Reynolds have used corporate and income tax cuts to underfund public schools, health care, and other services, resulting in no meaningful savings for most Iowans. Not yet. I believe that Iowa can successfully strike a balance between a progressive tax system and funded services with sufficient increases to meet increasing costs.
What policies would you support to improve the safety of Iowa schools?
Petersen: Iowa's children need our love and support. We have seen too many of Governor Reynolds' policies harm our children, our public schools, and the AEA. Instead of banning books, curriculum, sports, and bathrooms, we should fully fund public education. The dangers of gun violence and social media weigh heavily on the minds of parents, including myself. I support common sense gun safety policies and extracurricular activities that give students more opportunities to connect with each other instead of cell phones. Iowa still has some of the worst child sex abuse laws in the nation, and we need to change our laws to protect our children.
What next steps do you think the Iowa Legislature should take regarding abortion?
Petersen: I agree with the majority of Iowans. Abortion treatment should be safe and legal in Iowa. Extremist politicians have no place in the doctor's office making medical decisions that affect our bodies, our families, and our futures. I promote reproductive justice. Support age-appropriate, evidence-based sex education in schools. Offer free, limited-time products in public restrooms. Provide better access to family planning services, pregnancy care and postnatal support. Protect IVF services. And we can better protect Iowans from domestic abuse and sexual assault. Iowa also needs to correct its ranking as the worst state in the nation for the number of obstetricians and gynecologists per capita.