Meet the candidates 2024: Iowa House District 52 pt. 2
Ahead of the Nov. 5 general election, the T-R sent out questionnaires to the candidates in competitive races across the coverage area. Today’s spotlight focuses on Iowa House District 52, which covers the city of Marshalltown and the southeast quadrant of the county, including Le Grand, Laurel, Ferguson, Gilman and Haverhill.
Republican sheet metal worker and former legislative clerk David Blom of Marshalltown, who was nominated by special convention after the June primary, is challenging two-term incumbent Sue Cahil (D-Marshalltown), a retired educator with the Marshalltown Community School District (MCSD) and former Marshalltown city councilor. Cahill won re-election after running unopposed in 2022. The first half of their responses were printed in Friday’s T-R, and the remainder can be found below. Monday’s paper will include part one of the questionnaire responses from Iowa Senate District 26 candidates Kara Warme, a Republican from Ames, and Mike Wolfe, a Democrat from Maxwell.
8. The Iowa Veterans Home has been in the headlines several times over the last few months related to the recent restructuring, and Rep. Cahill has called for State Auditor Rob Sand to perform an audit of the state-run facility. How can the legislature ensure that IVH is living up to its obligations to veterans and providing the best care possible?
David Blom: In the statehouse, I’ll fight for resources for our veterans who deserve the utmost respect, gratitude and support once they return home. Marshall County is long overdue for a Representative that has a seat at the table in Des Moines to properly advocate for our veterans. In Marshalltown nine hundred professionals work day and night to ensure that our veterans receive the care they deserve. I will listen to our workers and ensure their voice is heard in Des Moines.
Sue Cahill: The residents of the Iowa Veterans Home are my constituents. At the recent meeting of the Commission of Iowa Veterans Affairs, Commandant Jacobus shared awards and accolades from the state, residents, and their families concerning the care and status of residents at IVH.
We expect this excellent care for our Veterans, and it is refreshing to see the standards are set high. I visit with the residents and administration throughout the year in open forums at IVH. Many of the 700 employees are my constituents also. I listen to these people as well. I have been contacted by many with concerns that I feel should be reviewed. The Legislature allocates money for the state portion of the IVH funding. It is the job of the legislature to ensure that our veterans, whom we honor and celebrate, have the best care possible. These men and women deserve the best care possible and the best services possible in repayment for their own sacrifices. It is our duty to ask questions.
9. Do you support the use of eminent domain on private property for carbon capture pipelines?
Blom: No, I believe private property rights should be some of the strongest we protect in Iowa. I understand that eminent domain may be required in certain circumstances but that should be rare and avoided at all costs. In the Iowa House, I hope to review eminent domain law and strengthen private property rights.
Cahill: I support property owners’ rights. Eminent domain has been used for public good. These
pipeline companies are private, for-profit companies. They should not get a free pass to take over the land of Iowans.
10. The state currently has a record surplus. What, if anything, would you propose putting that money toward?
Blom: I believe we should fund Iowans’ priorities – for example, public safety, education, veteran support, and mental health care. And that any remaining surplus should be returned to the taxpayer through responsible tax cuts.
Cahill: My top priorities for spending the surplus of money are:
– Public Schools to attain smaller class sizes, more student mental health services and increased teacher and staff pay for those serving our children.
– We must expand mental health services for all so people don’t have to go out of state to find beds and services.
– Cancer research to determine why Iowa is one of the leading states in cancer cases.
– Nursing home/long-term care facility improvements in staffing, training and pay.
11. Should the state of Iowa legalize marijuana for recreational use? Why or why not?
Blom: I believe medical cannabis should be simple and legal with a doctor’s prescription. However, I am concerned with recreational use. I think we need to wait until we have long term studies on side effects from the states who have full legalization. I am concerned with high school students having access to a drug when we do not know the potential long term side effects. Potential tax revenue alone must not be the driving factor when protecting our kids.
Cahill: I support legalizing marijuana in Iowa. Currently our surrounding states that have legalized are getting money from Iowans who cross the borders to purchase marijuana. Iowans want legalization. Legalization will bring tax and production revenue to Iowa. We will control the product from seed to sale ensuring it is safe and free of fentanyl or other harmful substances. It provides a niche farming opportunity. It will be regulated as alcohol and decriminalized allowing our law enforcement to focus on black market drugs and narcotics.
12. If elected, how would you address the childcare situation in Iowa?
Blom: The Iowa Legislature must tackle this issue from many different fronts. We should continue to raise childcare assistance provider rates as much as we can and look for additional ways to make childcare providers more profitable without having to raise rates on Iowa families. I also want to incentivize Iowa businesses to help parents by either providing childcare on site or providing bonuses to be used at other childcare locations.
Cahill: Parents are the first teachers of our children. Childcare providers are a close second! Services to children are the most important factors. Keeping a well-paid, highly qualified staff is needed for all centers and home care providers. Pay and training are key to keeping highly qualified staff. The state can fund scholarships for training and pay for background checks for staff. Allowing staff to claim child care assistance for their own children is an incentive to keep providers. We must ensure our youngest children have access to needed services amidst the AEA reorganization. We can also encourage career pathways to the childcare field by working with our high schools and community colleges to provide training and internships related to childcare.
13. Are there any major agricultural policy changes you would suggest if elected?
Blom: We must stay on top of animal disease concerns by continuing to fund programs that help Iowa farmers who are affected and research ways to protect Iowa livestock. Also, fertilizer has gotten more expensive for farmers. We must have market competition and prevent monopolies.
Cahill: We need our farmers and agriculture experts at the Regents Universities to work together with Farm Bureau and Ag specialists to provide a standard of cover crops, bioreactors, and other ways to reduce the nitrates that come out of the soil. We need to reinstate the water quality checks that were taken away concerning our waterways. We need to review the types of fertilizers applied to soil to ensure they are not cancer-causing agents.
14. If it hasn’t been asked yet, what’s another topic you’d like to address once you take office?
Blom: We must fight to keep jobs right here in Marshall County. Having a legislator with a seat at the table is vital to make sure that we’re bringing economic development opportunities to our area and passing policies to protect workers’ jobs right here in House District 52.
Cahill: I am working with our Veterans at the Iowa Veterans Home to increase the monthly stipend they receive for personal spending from the VA and Medicaid. The stipend has not been increased since 2008. I proposed a bill last session but it was not moved forward. I will continue to work on this issue for our Veterans.
15. Why are you the most qualified candidate for this seat?
Blom: I’m most qualified to represent this seat because I’ll be a strong, principled voice in Des Moines. Marshalltown is long overdue for a representative who will effectively carry their values and priorities to Des Moines. I look forward to serving the community that raised me and delivering long overdue results for Marshall County.
Cahill: Marshalltown and Marshall County are my home. I have lived here for 34 years. I have worn many hats and been involved in many activities in our communities. I have been a resident, a mother, a childcare provider, a teacher, a librarian, a city councilor, a youth sports coach, a Sunday school teacher, a parish council member, a private school board president, a union member, a business owner, a member of service clubs, boards and organizations that work to make our community better. I am not a career politician.
I am new at this. I know it takes listening, and collaboration to get things done. I have a proven record of getting things done here in our community and at the Statehouse. That is why I am the most qualified candidate for this seat.