A long-time incumbent faces a challenger general election to represent Iowa House District 39, which includes Pleasant Hill and part of northeast Des Moines.
Incumbent Democrat Rick Olson is running for an 11th term in the Iowa House of Representatives. He will face Republican Troy Clark in the general election.
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.
The general election, which includes various federal, legislative and local offices, is Nov. 5.
Learn More: Your Iowa Voter Guide 2024
Who is Troy Clark?
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Age: 55.
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Party: Republican.
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Current town of residence: Pleasant Hill.
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Education: Went to Southeast Polk through tenth grade. Went to Des Moines Christian for grades 11 and 12 and graduated from there. Went to Des Moines Area Community College and obtained an associates degree.
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Occupation: Insurance adviser.
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Political experience and civic activities: Never held political office. Helped as a 2024 Trump Caucus Captain. Member of the Polk County Republican Party Central Committee.
Who is Rep. Rick L. Olson?
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Age: 73.
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Party: Democratic.
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Current town of residence: Des Moines.
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Education: Law degree.
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Occupation: Attorney.
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Political experience and civic activities: 10-term state representative; former assistant Polk County attorney; member of the Iowa State Bar Association; Polk County Bar Association; Iowa Association for Justice; Des Moines Elks, Moose International; and Farm Bureau. Past board member of the Iowa Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and past member of the Polk County Magistrate Appointing Commission.
What would be your top issue should you be elected?
Olson: Improving educational results for our children and guaranteeing a woman’s right to make her own reproductive choices.
Clark: The Iowa economy ― cutting taxes and regulations to help families and small businesses.
What policies would you support to improve Iowa’s education system?
Olson: Eliminate vouchers for private schools paid for by Iowa taxpayers.
Clark: We need to get back to teaching what is important — the basics — reading, writing, math and science. We need to stop with the social engineering and indoctrination.
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?
Olson: We can lower taxes for working Iowans, increase taxes on the wealthy, and in so doing, maintain spending on necessary services for Iowans.
Clark: I am in favor of continued reductions to the state income tax, with the eventual plan of eliminating it. In addition, I think the property tax system needs to be overhauled and streamlined. Retired people now pay no income tax on retirement accounts, and I would propose similar taxation on retired people’s property, especially when it comes to low-income elderly.
What policies would you support to improve school safety in Iowa?
Olson: In that K-12 schools vary in enrollment and building design, I think it is best that school safety choices be left to the local school boards. Obviously, we want to keep our children safe, but what works in Davenport may not work in Clarinda. Public safety needs to be tailored to the community, i.e. school resource officers, firearms screening, classroom panic alarms connected to law enforcement.
Clark: I am in favor of teachers and administrators, who are willing and able, to carry firearms for the protection of them and their students. Proper training would be required for this. In addition, or as an alternative, I would support hiring retired military or police officers to work in schools and protect students and faculty.
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?
Olson: Pass a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a woman’s right to choose.
Clark: I am a firm believer that life begins at conception and do not like abortion at any stage. But at this time, I would likely not push for any additional regulation of abortions as we see the effects of the newly implemented law.
Chris Higgins covers the northern and eastern suburbs for the Register. Reach him at chiggins@registermedia.com or 515-423-5146 and follow him on Twitter @chris_higgins_.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Meet the candidates running for Iowa House District 39
