Three candidates are running for Iowa State Senate District 26, which represents parts of Story County, including Nevada and Huxley, and Marshall County, including Marshalltown and State Center.
Republicans Gannon Hendrick and Kara Warme are running for their party's nomination in the June primary. The winner will face Democrat Mike Wolf in the November general election.
Republican Sen. Jeff Edler is not running for re-election.
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 Ganon Hendrick?
Year:39
party: republican party
Where did you grow up: I grew up on a farm outside of McCallsburg in rural Story County and have lived in Iowa all my life, except for when I was called into the Army Reserve.
Town where I currently live: I live on my family's farm outside of McCallsburg.
education: I graduated from Coronesco High School and Iowa State University. I also attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and several other military schools.
Profession: I own a small business raising cattle on my family's farm, am an active duty U.S. Army Reserve officer with nearly 22 years of service and hold the rank of lieutenant colonel, and work as an assistant secretary in the office of the president of the Iowa Senate. Masu. Chief of Staff to Senator Amy Sinclair.
Political experience and civic activities: I ran for Storey County Supervisor, was elected to the Coronesco School Board, Warren Township Trustee, and Warren Township Clerk. I have volunteered on numerous political campaigns, primarily in the Iowa State Senate, but also for Tom Latham in Congress, Dave Deyo in the Iowa House, and several Republican presidential campaigns. . Additionally, I served as a member of the Storey County Republican Central Committee, a delegate to the Storey County Republican Convention, and a delegate to the Storey County 4th Congressional District and State Republican Convention.
Who is Kara Warme?
Year:44
party: republican party
Where did you grow up: san diego
Town where I currently live: ames
education: Stanford University: BS, Industrial Engineering. University of Iowa: MBA
Profession: Mothers, Businesswomen, Nonprofit Executives, Farm Owners
Political experience and civic activities: Founder and Troop Coordinator of American Heritage Girls. Director of the Ames Soccer Club. Licensed substitute teacher. Iowa Rural Development Council.Isaac Walton League; Sunday School and his VBS Leader, Cornerstone Church
Who is Mike Wolfe?
Year:49
party: Democratic Party
Where did you grow up: I grew up in Lacey, Washington. After high school, I lived in San Diego for several years. I met my wife, a farm kid in Iowa, who was tired of the big city and moved to Ames and Iowa State University.
Town where I currently live: I live near Maxwell where I raise sheep, chickens, bees and the occasional turkey. We developed an orchard of apples, cherries, pears, peaches and a large garden.
education: I graduated with honors from Iowa State University as a Construction Engineer.
Profession: I am an estimator for a union mechanical contractor. I have a 20 year career in finding jobs for union members in the construction industry.
Political experience and civic activities: I have served on professional boards in my field, including the American Society of Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers and the American Society of Professional Estimators. However, this is my first campaign for public office.
What are your top priorities if you are elected?
Hendrick: Property taxes are the issue I hear most about in my visits with constituents, and they are especially concerning for people living on fixed incomes, such as retirees. I believe that in order to increase the transparency of property tax revenues and local government budgets, strict caps should be placed on property tax levies and duplicative taxation should be abolished. Iowa families must prioritize spending to live within their means, and government is no exception.
warm: The biggest issue I hear from Republicans is real concern about the disastrous Biden administration. From inflation to immigration to foreign policy, Iowans are deeply concerned about the future of their country. My biggest challenge is fighting back against federal overreach and ensuring that Iowa continues to set a national example of good conservative governance. Iowa has continued to be a national leader in empowering parents, cutting taxes, reducing barriers to job creation, reforming government, and controlling state spending. The success of these policies presents a vivid contrast between Iowa's conservative values and D.C.'s failures.
Wolf: You cannot choose just one issue that is most important. I would like to see public education funding returned to public schools, not private education vouchers. We would like to repair the damage caused to the AEA system in the last session. And I want to eliminate the six-week abortion ban. These are all important goals that will improve the quality of everyday life in Iowans.
What policies would you support to improve Iowa's education system?
Hendrick: I support educational choice for all Iowa families. Whether choosing a local public school, another public school, a private school, a charter school, or a homeschool, ensuring that parents have an education policy that allows them to choose the best option for their students is the best way to help them. most important for success. By providing families with choice, parents can hold schools accountable for their students' education, and accountability leads to improved outcomes.
warm: In education, we need to focus on students and what we can do to prepare them for the future and help them succeed. The school's main goal is to help children learn and grow, starting with making sure they have the basics in reading, math, and science. Today, these foundations are too often lost in the pursuit of educational fads such as critical race theory and left-wing ideas. My goal is to make Iowa's education system the best in the nation, supported by great teachers, strong mental health services, and active parent involvement.
Wolf: We need to abolish the private school voucher system. This gives taxes to wealthy Iowans at the expense of hard-working people. Iowa's public education spending has lagged behind inflation for years. Well-educated children are Iowa's future successes and we need to invest in them. We must also work to reverse the changes made to the AEA system this session and repair the damage caused by the loss of experienced health care providers and staff.
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?
Hendrick: State tax policy should focus on lowering tax rates while expanding the tax base through economic development. Bringing quality jobs to Iowa is good for Iowa families, grows our economy, and is good for the state as a whole. This will allow the state to fund essential government services that Iowans depend on while enacting tax cuts that benefit all Iowans.
warm: When Democrats and the media talk about national spending, they make it seem as if the government owns the money. In reality, this money belongs to hard-working Iowans who earned it through strength, talent, and hard work. State government needs to carefully manage every dollar and ensure that Iowans keep as much of the money they earn as possible. I think the question here is the wrong choice. It is possible to keep more money in the hands of Iowans while keeping our budget conservative and focused on important priorities. I plan to continue this practice and support further tax cuts for Iowans.
Wolf: We need to invest in Iowa. Our school funding has lagged behind inflation for years. Today, we invest less money in Regent University than he did 20 years ago. The current administration is hoarding surpluses to justify tax cuts while Iowa collapses from lack of investment.
What policies would you support to improve the safety of Iowa schools?
Hendrick: I believe schools need the ability to take an “all of the above” approach to keeping students safe. I support policies that allow local school districts to make local decisions about how to provide school safety based on local values and resource allocation. One of the policies I am proud to have worked on for Senator Sinclair is HF 2652. Among the topics covered, the bill ensures school security takes priority over recreational projects, provides funding flexibility for security equipment and technology, and requires pre-purchased security equipment. It will be installed and working.
warm: Children are our future, so school safety must be a top priority. I am a huge supporter of school resource officers. SROs increase school safety and create a positive initial relationship between students and law enforcement. As the Ames Tribune reported in March 2024, since school resource officers were removed in December 2021, the Ames Police Department has responded to more than 700 calls in or near Ames schools. There is. This is an inefficient use of taxpayer funds and reduces security. Another important aspect of school safety is a robust mental health system for youth and families.
Wolf: The first step is to allocate funding to all school buildings with secure access systems to prevent intruders during classes. However, we also need to improve our services to students. Mental health funding should be provided to public education to train certified mental health counselors. School counselors help working parents get the help they need for their children without jeopardizing their jobs or paychecks.
What next steps do you think the Iowa Legislature should take regarding abortion?
Hendrick: I'm pro-life. I was adopted at a young age by two loving parents who taught me hard work and the value of a dollar. My birth parents were unmarried college students who knew they couldn't care for me, so they made the loving decision to have me and give me up for adoption. They could have chosen an abortion, if they had, I wouldn't be here today. The first is to see what the Supreme Court rules on the heartbeat bill so Congress can decide its next steps. Regardless of the court's decision, I will always protect my unborn child.
warm: I am pro-life and will always vote to protect life. I have been active as a volunteer and donor for Birthright, Obria Medical Clinic, and Martha's House of Hope. In my current role at YSS, I work to support young mothers during pregnancy and parenting. I will fight for the culture of life in our state, from babies in the womb to young mothers to veterans and seniors. Congress has passed many influential laws to protect and cherish life. Upholding the latest pro-life bill is critical to the Iowa Supreme Court.
Wolf: I think the six-week abortion ban should be lifted immediately. Most people don't even know they're pregnant at that point. I think we should also work to amend the Iowa Constitution to protect abortion rights. I want Iowans to have the right to vote directly on this issue and enshrine their opinions in our state constitution.