March 28, 2024

Vote for Allen, Ernst, and Payton

Chris Bollhoefer

Newton

Chaz Allen has been a true leader through some dark times in Newton. Having worked at Maytag for 21 years, it was tough for me to see the silver lining with Maytag’s departure. But Chaz’s personality, blue-collar mentality, and commonality with the people of Newton made a difference when we needed it most. In addition, I know that Chaz is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. He has assured me that he will not be expressly a party-line voter in the Iowa Senate, especially when it comes to our Second Amendment rights —and he expects me to help hold him accountable.

I respect Joni Ernst’s service to the country and her Iowa values. The ads bombarding the airwaves are trying to paint her as extreme, well if a common sense approach to the issues, and having a firm understanding of what service to our country means are extreme — then this state and country could use a whole lot more of it. Conversely, Bruce Braley’s put down of Chuck Grassley while soliciting money from a group of lawyers tells me where his values stand. He is pretty full of himself. Farmers should count in Iowa and our country. Even though he apologized for his act of disrespect, he can’t change what he revealed about his character.

In a previous letter to the editor printed April 24, I shared my displeasure with Dan Kelly’s total lack of responsiveness to my request to get answers on where he stood on Second Amendment rights issues. I don’t want to rehash that, but I do want to point out that we shouldn’t have to settle for a representative who has lost touch with the fact that he serves us — not the other way around. How can this “representative” reach across the isle to solve issues, if a constituent has to hound him just to get a response? Also, I believe it is a lot easier and safer to be for jobs and education – who doesn’t want them? Unfortunately, in our country today, the gutsiest task is to try and preserve our constitutional freedoms. That is why I feel we need to give Patrick Payton an opportunity to serve us in the Iowa House. In addition to being focused on eliminating government waste, he believes in our Constitution.

I encourage you to vote for Chaz Allen, Joni Ernst, and Patrick Payton.