Steven Bradley, State Representative Dist. 66

     Personal history: I was born in Napa, Calif., on a naval base in 1957. My parents returned to Epworth, Iowa, three months later. I graduated from Western Dubuque High School, University of Iowa, Marquette School of Dentistry. I have been a practicing dentist for 38 years. I was a trustee and officer for the Iowa Dental Association for nine years, and on the Iowa Dental Board for another nine years, working with legislators submitting bills and defeating bills that were not in the best healthcare interest of Iowans. Therefore, I have 20 years of legislative experience.

   Why are you running for re-election for state representative? I am running for re-election because my work is not complete. I have followed through listening to constituents’ concerns: Strengthening our Second Amendment rights, protecting the unborn, supporting law enforcement, and protecting girls’ sports. It is critical to have a conservative voice representing Northeast Iowa. I want to be your voice.

   This legislative session continues to remain in session. It seems the Governor’s “school voucher/scholarship bill” is one of the reasons why. Where do you stand on this particular legislation? I stand with Governor Reynolds on the school choice issue. It is up to parents to decide what is best for their children’s education.

   What are some significant issues you anticipate in the upcoming legislative term for 2023? Next legislative session, I anticipate protecting innocent life will be a big issue because the Supreme Court may return the issue back to the states. I believe life begins at conception. That is why I supported Governor Reynolds’ Heartbeat Bill and why I voted for a pro-life constitutional amendment, which will put this issue in front of Iowans to vote on.

   How does your experience/background prepare you to be an effective state representative, specifically for Dist. 66?  As a business owner, I understand the challenges facing Iowa families and employers. Every day, I listen to patients who come into my dental office. They talk of their concerns for their family and our country. I feel listening more than talking is a good quality of a representative. I supported Governor Reynolds to cut income taxes for all Iowans and completely eliminate taxes on retirees, and make Iowa the best place to live, work, and raise a family. I worked with senators to make the biofuel bill more inclusive. It took two months of going over to the Senate, but I believe the amendment was better for small-town gas stations, giving them an exemption according to the usage of gallons. Therefore, I supported the biofuel bill, HF 2128.

   What are the biggest priorities pertaining to helping the State of Iowa bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic? How do you see the legislature addressing those priorities? Thankfully in Iowa, we have Governor Reynolds leading the way. I’m proud of my vote to ban mask mandates last spring, and to also have voted to reform Iowa’s unemployment insurance system, ensuring government isn’t incentivizing Iowans to remain out of work, but instead incentivizing people to return to the workforce as quickly as possible. I’ll continue to use my post on the House Economic Growth Committee to grow the workforce and the economy, especially in rural and small-town Eastern Iowa.

   Additional comments: I feel Iowans are optimists and realists. We are optimistic about our state’s future because we see how hard and how smart our citizens work. We are realistic about the dangers of Big Government, overspending, busting the budget, and raising taxes. I am thankful to serve the people of Iowa. My approach is to treat others with respect, deliver more than I promise, and stick with my conservative core values.