Two candidates are competing for a Des Moines-based Iowa House seat that is open this year with the retirement of longtime Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad.
Democrat Rob Johnson and Republican Danielle Duggan are on the ballot in Iowa House District 34. The district encompasses parts of Des Moines, including the Drake, River Bend, Oak Park, Prospect Park, Cheatom Park and King Irving neighborhoods.
To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal and Des Moines area legislative candidates running for political office this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Early voting begins Oct. 16 for the Nov. 5 general election.
Learn More: Your Iowa Voter Guide 2024
Who is Rob Johnson?
Age: 36
Party: Democrat
Where did you grow up: Chicago
Current town of residence: Des Moines
Education: Bachelor of Arts in politics, Drake University
Occupation: Field service representative for Wellmark and associate minister at Corinthian Baptist Church
Political experience and civic activities:
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2014 deputy campaign manager for Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad
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2020 Iowa faith outreach coordinator for Biden/Harris presidential campaign
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2022 faith outreach coordinator and treasurer for DeJear/Van Lancker gubernatorial campaign
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Organizer of Rob Johnson Birthday Gas Giveaway
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Board member for: Iowa Interfaith Alliance, Iowa Juneteenth, Back 2 School Iowa, I’ll Make Me a World, National Child Advocacy Board for Adoptions and Foster Care
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Co-host of Code Red Mental Health Forums
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Des Moines Public Library child literacy advocate
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Classroom speaker at Des Moines Public Schools
Who is Danielle Duggan?
Age: 46
Party: Republican
Where did you grow up: Manchester
Current town of residence: Des Moines
Education: West Delaware Community High School and Upper Iowa University
Occupation: Part-time daughter, full-time mother, flakey friend, advocate for veterans and homeless
Political experience and civic activities: I’ve been in politics my entire life either by force as a child or by choice as an adult. Previously, I worked in the Capitol for Legislative Services Agency (LSA) in the computer services division where I worked directly on the House and Senate floors. As a former journalist, I interviewed a number of politicians and political candidates for various offices, but also covered political situations like the Central Iowa Employment and Training Consortium scandal. Most recently, I’ve been a volunteer on a number of different political campaigns from city mayor races to assisting Iowa House candidates and even on presidential campaigns.
What would be your top issue should you be elected?
Johnson: I have several top issues I plan to focus on. First and foremost supporting our schools, AEAs, educators and fighting to keep public money in public schools. Working to enshrine reproductive freedoms in the Iowa Constitution. Lowering monthly bills by expanding access to affordable housing and child care, lower taxes for working families and increase wages for all. Finally, ensuring our mental health care system is properly funded so that those who need care get it.
Duggan: I believe my top issue once elected would be to make sure in the Iowa GOP caucus we stop discussing imaginary issues and pretend problems so we can focus on the very real issues and serious problems Iowans are facing today. Veterans and their access to services, particularly housing, substance abuse and trauma recovery programs in rural Iowa; homelessness and the LIHTC scam, as well as the deplorable CISS; crime and all elements that come with it from supporting crime victims to paying Iowa public defenders a proper wage for their legal services. Finally, we need to look at overhauling Iowa’s child support scam, which is basically a way for the state to profit of the breakdown of the nuclear family.
What policies would you support to improve Iowa’s education system?
Johnson: We must reverse course in Iowa and roll back Kim Reynolds’ voucher scheme and return to a public school system where our AEAs are properly funded. We also have to ensure that our children learn all aspects of our history so they feel seen, heard and valued.
Duggan: I’ve said it before and I will say it again: I believe we need to eliminate the useless position of superintendent within the Iowa education system. There is nothing a superintendent does that a high school principal cannot do and we would instantly put six figures back into each and every school district. In addition, I believe we should be paying school board members as well because if Iowa Campaign Ethics and Disclosure Board members get $50 per meeting, there is no way we should expect someone to volunteer to deal with the chaos that happens at school board meetings. Finally, I believe we need to fund trauma recovery programming for everyone who is either employed by and/or attends an Iowa public school.
What do you think Iowa’s tax policy should be? Do you believe the state’s priority should be on lowering rates or spending on services for Iowans?
Johnson: I believe we must stop the handouts to corporations and special interests and take care of our most vulnerable population by ensuring SNAP and other benefits are properly funded. Additionally, it’s vital we foster an environment that encourages entrepreneurship and supports small businesses to contribute to long-term economic prosperity.
Duggan: I believe we need to be lowering taxes for Iowans, but most importantly, every veteran in Iowa should get their property taxes waived, not just veterans with 100% disability rating. In addition, I believe we need programs to give property tax credits to Iowans who provide essential services in our communities, including but not limited to: police, firefighters, EMTs, teachers and public defenders. Finally, I believe we need to have Rob Sand audit our homestead tax credits because there are a number of deceased people in House District 34 who are receiving them. Now, I am not a tax expert, but I don’t believe deceased Iowans should be receiving property tax credits at all.
What policies would you support to improve school safety in Iowa?
Johnson: We should take a comprehensive approach to school safety in Iowa. Emergency response plans should involve parents and children so they know what to do if an urgent situation arises. Increasing mental health services, providing regular training for staff and students and utilizing technology for surveillance and communication can also help improve school safety. As a regular speaker to students in Des Moines Public Schools, I also believe community engagement and involvement can help support our students and reduce violence.
Duggan: I believe we need to reinstate SRO in our public schools and we need to bring the National Guard Youth Challenge to Iowa for children who need a more structured environment. I believe we need to expand school safety training for not only Iowa teachers and children, but for the parents whose children attend public school. I believe we do not need a $100 million app for school safety but we need funding for trauma recovery programs for the most vulnerable students and their families. In addition, I believe we need to issue a statewide ban on cell phones for children during the school day.
Iowa’s six-week “fetal heartbeat” abortion ban is now in effect. What next steps do you believe the Iowa Legislature should take when it comes to abortion?
Johnson: I believe we should introduce legislation to enshrine and protect reproductive freedoms in the Iowa Constitution.
Duggan: My platform is: faith, family and funding. I want the state government out of our faith, out of our families and more local control of our funding. I believe abortion is a family issue and it should be decided within the family unit, not by the state government. The concept is simple: what another Iowan chooses to do to their body does not impact mine. Therefore, what you drink will not get me drunk, what you smoke will not get me high and whether or not you choose to have a child, either way I promise you: I will not be raising it. If you feel that you can handle the consequences of your actions, then you do what you feel is best for you and your family. Point blank, period.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Meet Iowa House District 34 candidates Rob Johnson and Danielle Duggan
