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What do you look for in a state representative?
Op-Ed · October 24, 2014


Incumbent Republican Robert “Bobby” Kaufmann and challenger, Democrat David Johnson, will face off Nov. 4 in the race for state representative of District 73.


We posted an unscientific survey on the Web asking West Branch-area readers “How do you plan to vote in the Nov. 4 election for state representative?”

We also asked them “What is most important as you decide how to cast your vote for state representative?”

We received 85 responses.

Johnson received 50 votes, or 58.82 percent; Kaufmann received 32 votes, or 37.65 percent; and 3 people, or 3.53 percent, marked “Don’t know.”

As for what they considered when voting, here is a sample of what they said:

• Which one has communicated better with me during the campaign.

• (Johnson) is a veteran who can help straighten out this tangled mess from Des Moines when it comes to State tuition assistance money for IANG and ANG

• Not voting party lines but instead voting for the right person

• How our resources are allocated.

• David is a Progressive Democrat and so am I

• Experience

• Johnson has spent his whole life as a bureaucrat working for the U of I. Doesn’t know what the real world is like.

• Anyone but Johnson!

• Whether they take money from big business and whether they are forward-thinking or just okay with the status quo. Also, whether they support same-sex marriage in Iowa.

• Past record and accountability

• Bi-partisanship

• We need to see a switch in majority in the House and Senate. Things are not working as-is and continue to decline. I’m a registered Democrat, but plan on voting mostly Republican in the upcoming elections.

• Less big government. More individual freedom.

• I want to vote for a progressive candidate.

• Clean water, women’s rights, adequate taxation

• Someone who actually understands and works for middle- and low-income families. They don’t just vote along party lines.

• Morals, similar values, trust

• Morals and conservative values

• The future of our youth by improving education. “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” — Derek Bok

• Values

• Candidates who do not accept money from large corporate political PACs.

• Honesty and trustworthy

• Where they get their money.

• Personal Representation. There are issues, but having a State Rep who listens to his constituents and responds is paramount.