Jon Dunwell gets a campaign boost with governor endorsement

Jon Dunwell, the elected representative of Iowa House District 38 who is running for re-election this November, has the support from a person that he says loves Iowa and its people, and is in many ways considered to be the leader of the Republicans in the state: Gov. Kim Reynolds. It’s an endorsement he holds dear.

“It’s extremely meaningful for me for her to come and be part of my event and her absolute support behind me in Jasper County,” Dunwell said to Newton News a day after his fundraiser on Oct. 15 at Lauterbach Buick GMC. Reynolds attended the party as a special guest and acknowledged Dunwell as a “happy warrior.”

Reynolds said to a group of vigorous supporters, “He’s a happy warrior. This guy has passion to serve. And I tell ya it gets kind of nasty down there sometimes. So it’s kind of nice to have a happy warrior that is able to talk about important issues as we move that ball forward. I’m really proud to be here.”

As a lawmaker, Reynolds said Dunwell comes to the statehouse prepared. He also brings solutions to the table. The governor said there are different approaches to reaching resolutions within the Republican Party, and what she loves about Dunwell is his ability to work on both sides of an issue.

“(He) helps them come together and find maybe that middle ground or that path forward so we can get things done,” Reynolds said. “That’s another thing I like about him. I didn’t run to keep the status quo. I’m running because I believe we can make this state even better and continue to improve the quality of life.”

ELECTIONS MATTER, LEADERSHIP MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Prior to introducing Reynolds, Dunwell said between his work in the statehouse and as director of outreach and engagement for the conservative group The Family Leader, there are two things he has learned: 1) Elections matter and do make a difference, and 2) Leadership makes a difference.

“We wouldn’t have a 3.8 percent flat tax coming into effect without having Gov. Reynolds elected and leading,” Dunwell said. “We wouldn’t be protecting girls sports without her leadership and her involvement … We wouldn’t be protecting children against altering surgeries before the age of 18 without Gov. Reynolds.”

Reynolds commended Dunwell for his fourth time running for the Jasper County seat in the statehouse. Dunwell ran unsuccessfully in 2020. He was elected in a special election when then-Rep. Wes Breckenridge stepped down a year later. A year after that, Dunwell defended his seat. Now he’s at it again.

“Thank you, first of all, for not giving up that first time, for putting your name on the ballot,” Reynolds said. “It’s not easy to put your name on the ballot and decide to run. But you did that, so thank you for doing that and thank you for that decision. And then thank you for working so hard.”

The governor not only considers Dunwell a good friend but a very effective legislator and a public servant fighting for Iowa values.

“He is front and center in defending those values every single day,” she said.

DUNWELL SAYS HE AND GOVERNOR SHARE SIMILAR VALUES

While Dunwell is confident in saying he and Reynolds share the same values, he said they do not always agree on everything. For instance, Dunwell said he and Reynolds went back and forth on Area Education Agencies this past legislative session. In the end, he said, they found a “better way” to deal with AEAs.

“She came up with her proposal and we in the House countered pretty strongly,” Dunwell said. “…But we don’t always see eye to eye, and I think what was demonstrated last year in the legislature is the governor’s willingness to hear back from the House and the Senate about a proposal she had.”

The major difference between the House’s proposal and the governor’s proposal, Dunwell added, is the House did not want to touch special education at all and keep it fully funded. The House, in turn, took to the governor’s plight for more oversight of the AEAs coming from the Department of Education.

When lawmakers were debating about AEA reform, Dunwell said superintendents in his district had a lot of questions. But he felt blessed that she chose to visit Jasper County and discuss the issue with school leaders one on one in the midst of session. Dunwell said there was a much greater understanding afterward.

Reynolds had a chance to provide her perspective and listen to their concerns. Dunwell said the governor has made herself available as a teammate and has been “instrumental” in many Jasper County endeavors, like grant funds for conservation and helping bring race weekend to life at Iowa Speedway.

“Same thing with Legacy Plaza when we were looking there and I knew we were having difficultly with how we can monetize the sales tax that we would be collecting,” Dunwell said. “We had long conversations and figured out let’s see if we can’t bring Jasper County in to work with the city and work with DMACC.”

OTHER LOCAL REPUBICANS ENDORSE DUNWELL

It wasn’t just Reynolds offering their endorsement to Dunwell’s campaign. U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks spoke in favor of him, as did a few community members. Mark Hallam of the Newton City Council said as a non-partisan elected official he tends not to get involved in partisan public speaking events.

But when Dunwell asked him, Hallam felt he could make an exception. It also helped that his favorite governor would also be in the same room; Terry Branstad and Robert Ray are “close seconds” but Reynolds was still No. 1. Hallam said over the years he has appreciated Dunwell’s advice and his counsel.

In their conversations, Dunwell would always talk about fiscal responsibility and the importance of all levels of government to be fiscally responsible. Hallam pointed to the work of the Iowa Legislature the past few years. The budget remains balanced, he said, and with a surplus.

“What that does is lead to growth opportunities for the state government,” Hallam said. “Of course it also benefits small towns like Newton. Think about that. A flat tax. The elimination of income tax on retired people. So all of that leaves more money in Iowans’ pockets, and that benefits towns like mine. Like Newton.”

Also giving his blessing to Dunwell’s campaign was supervisor Brandon Talsma. Yes, “the beard” himself. Talsma said he and Dunwell work very closely together. Prior to his six-year tenure on the board of supervisors, Talsma served in the U.S. Army. It was that experience where he learned what it was like to be on a team.

“I know how much more the team can achieve over just the individual,” he said. “That’s a lesson that’s been reiterated again and again since my time in office. Even as a supervisor, Doug (Cupples) cannot do anything. I, myself, cannot do anything. It takes at least two of us to get anything done in Jasper County.”

Of course this translates to big projects, too. Talsma said Dunwell understands this. It takes teamwork to be able to accomplish anything.

“Rep. Jon Dunwell chooses to work with his fellow elected leaders in improving Jasper County,” Talsma said. “Economic development and changes take time … It takes lots of conversations between private and government entities. Rep. Dunwell has proven he not only understands that but he can do it successfully.”

Talsma commended Dunwell for working with the governor’s office and the Iowa Economic Development Authority for successfully achieving Newton’s reinvestment district. When the ability to monetize the award became an issue of concern, Talsma said Dunwell helped facilitate conversations.

“It’s a very important project and it would not have been possible without Rep. Dunwell helping to facilitate those conversations.”