Ernst, Hinson address crowd at Republican dinner


Sen. Joni Ernst visited with the crowd at the Oct. 16 Jones County Republican dinner in Monticello. She said she fights for all Iowans, and works across the aisle to get things done. (Photos by Kim Brooks)

Ashley Hinson, who is running for U.S. Representative District 1, said family and being a mom are important to her, reasons why she chose to run for Congress.

Sen. Dan Zumbach, District 48, said he’s accomplished everything voters have asked of him, and will continue to share their conservative values in the Iowa Senate.
Local candidates seek support in tough races
By: 
Kim Brooks
Express Editor

     With the Presidential Election only weeks away, the Jones County Republicans hosted a large crowd on Oct. 16 as attendees heard from candidates up and down the Nov. 3 ballot.

     The dinner event was held at the Youth Development Center in Monticello.

     Lee Hein of Monticello is running for re-election for Iowa House District 96. Hein reminisced that it was 10 years ago he stood in front of voters asking to support his run for Iowa House.

     “My how 10 years fly,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot and I’m still running on the same philosophy that we ran on back in 2010.”

     That philosophy includes spending less than the state takes in, not to underfund any state programs, and not to use one-time funding for on-going expenses.

     Hein said despite an unusual year in the Iowa legislature due to COVID-19, the legislature ended the session with a $305 million surplus.

     “Iowa is one of the very unique states in this country that has a positive budget, and we’re very proud of that,” he expressed.

     Dan Zumbach of Ryan is also running for re-election in Iowa Senate District 48.

     “I have a local guy from here in Monticello who is running against me. I’ve never met him personally. I assume he’s a good guy,” said Zumbach. “But he’s a liberal. That’s not where we’re at. This country does not need higher taxes, more regulations.”

     Zumbach said electing conservatives to the Iowa Legislature will ensure a healthy state economy, run by those with “conservative principles.

     “I carry your values,” Zumbach concluded. “I spent the last eight years doing the things you asked me to do: cut regulations, cut your taxes, and vote for life.”

     Steve Bradley of Cascade is running against Andy McKean for Iowa House District 58.

     “We really want to win this race,” urged Bradley. “I want to beat that traitor. You all know what he’s done. Now he’s got negative ads out against me that I’m going to take away your healthcare and Social Security. That’s what I’m up against.”

     Whitney Hein of Monticello is running for Jones County Auditor. Hein referred her opponent, saying little effort has been to campaign against Hein. She said that makes her feel confident in this race.

     “I feel I have a well-rounded business background that will help me with the county budget,” shared Hein. “As my father-in-law (Rep. Lee Hein) likes to say, ‘If I can count pigs every day, I can surely count votes.’

     “I’m very excited and very hopeful to be your next county auditor.”

     John Schlarmann of Monticello is running for Jones County Supervisor District 1.

     Schlarmann said he got his start in public service by serving with the Jones County Cattlemen. “I got to meet a lot of people through that. I liked helping out.”

     He then served on the finance committee for his church, Sacred Heart. He currently serves on the Monticello School Board as president, as was there to see the new middle school take shape.

     “We have a beautiful new (middle) school to show for the support we have here in Monticello,” praised Schlarmann.

     He also acknowledged the tough time the schools, parents, and students face during the pandemic.

     Schlarmann said he knows he’d make a good county supervisor. “I like to hear what people have to say. If you have a problem, I’m going to do my best to point you in the right direction to get the problem figured out.”

     The two special guests of the evening were Ashley Hinson, running for U.S. Representative District 1, and Sen. Joni Ernst, running for re-election in the U.S. Senate.

     “It is my honor to serve in the Iowa House and it is going to be an honor as your 1st District Congresswoman because it is time for a change in Washington,” boasted Hinson.

     She said she decided to run for Congress because she wants a better future for her sons.

     “Family is important to me,” Hinson said. “My job as a mom is to leave them (her children) with a stronger community and, more importantly, a better country.

     “We don’t like the direction things are going right now. We’ve got political in-fighting, a lot of nasty rhetoric. If you’re happy with the way things are going there, then Abby Finkenauer has you covered.”

     As a former TV news anchor, Hinson said she saw and reported on the good and the bad throughout the 1st District. As a former storyteller, she feels she has the skills to stand up for her constituents in Washington.

     “That perspective is incredibly important in being able to be a good legislator,” she continued. “We have to restore our way of life and we have to renew the American dream. That’s the commitment to America that we are so focused on. If you send Republican leadership to Congress, that is what we will do for you.”

     Ernst highlighted many of the things her opponent has talked about through TV ads, saying her opponent’s stances are not what the voters want to see for this country.

     “The path that my opponent and that the Democrats want to take us down is a very different path,” Ernst said. “It’s a path of special interest groups that are pumping money into the State of Iowa.”

     The path that Ernst takes is that of “freedom, prosperity, and opportunity.

     “We had a booming economy prior to COVID-19. We are on our way to getting back on that road of economic prosperity,” she said.

     Ernst said she fights for all Iowans, for Iowa’s farmers, for those in law enforcement, for Iowa’s veterans, and for those who serve this country.

     “I do work well across the aisle,” she concluded. “But I draw the line when it comes to issues that will hurt Iowans. It you aren’t there helping to pull for Iowa, you’re not my friend. I’ve gone toe-to-toe, even with members of my own party, when it comes to issues that are important to Iowa. I will always stand up for Iowa first. I am an Iowan through and through.”

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