Jasper County Democrats get lift from J.D. Scholten at launch campaign to reclaim seats

Jasper County Democrats face an uphill battle. Every prospective candidate appearing on the primary election ballot this month is essentially campaigning for a seat already held by a Republican. Without taking redistricting maps into consideration, Jasper County is largely represented by elected Republicans.

Coupled with the number of registered voters in Jasper County swinging towards Republican as of late — which was unheard of years ago — the local Democratic Party has challenges ahead. So it made sense for someone like J.D. Scholten to rally the party during the Erick Zehr and Tyler Stewart campaign kickoff.

Scholten stood toe-to-toe against former Rep. Steve King of Iowa’s fourth congressional district, giving him his closest race of his career. Scholten told the Jasper County crowd on June 3 no one gave him a shot at first. What eventually resulted was a narrow defeat to King. But it showed Scholten it can be done.

“It takes a lot of work, but it can be done,” Scholten said.

Which gives Democratic candidates like Zehr and Stewart some hope that they, too, can flip the seats. Newton school board Travis Padget told attendees to talk to their candidates, including the three candidates vying for the two Democratic nominations. Find out what they’re passionate for, Padget said.

“As an elected official, I can tell them your job is to listen. You listen to what the community is saying. Don’t just listen to the loudest voices. Listen with your ears. Listen with your eyes. Listen with your hearts,” Padget said. “Find out what the mass of community is really wanting and fight for that direction.”

Zehr, who is running for the redistricted Iowa House District 38, said the biggest platform he is running on is “anti-radicalism.” He admonished the idea that it is more politically beneficial to fight political fights other than real issues, which he said is a disservice to Iowan voters.

“We’re not seeing a lot of debate over lowering the costs of prescription drugs or dealing with the imbalance of corporate profits or the fact minimum wage has not kept up with the cost of living — those are real issues that affect real people,” he said. “Too often we fight these fights that just get attention.

“Attention is the currency of politics right now.”

Zehr worries Iowans’ representatives are not representing their constituents but rather representing the interests of a party or the people who have donated to them. No matter the outcome to the supervisors race or statehouse races, Zehr hopes Jasper County residents show that there is a desire for a balance.

Which Zehr believes can be achieved by bringing the focus back towards helping people and representing people instead of playing political games.

Stewart is always aware of the challenges ahead for the Jasper County Democratic Party. In the past few years, he said, the party has fallen by the way side. Republicans have control over the governorship, the senate and the house, Stewart said, and Iowans are beginning to see the impacts on that.

Specifically in the proposed legislation lobbed against public schools and the attacks against teachers from their own legislators. Stewart said Iowans are seeing the effects of the Republican super majority. Like Zehr, Stewart said there is a need for more balance in the statehouse to prevent harmful proposals.

“Iowans are getting tired of the almost radical nature of some of these policies that they’re proposing,” Stewart said. “The same day 19 kids were killed in Texas in an elementary school, my opponent and Republicans helped push a bill to allow AR-15s for deer hunting. How insensitive that has to be.”

Other current issues could invigorate voters come November, Stewart suggested. The leaked draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade has people concerned on a national level. The failed school voucher/educational savings account bill in Iowa also has voters taking notice.

“We know what this election is about … it’s a referendum on public schools. If Republicans win seats this cycle, public school vouchers will be pushed through. We know that’s going to happen. Iowans need to stand up and put their foot down and say this isn’t OK,” Stewart said.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com