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Council member Johnson announces he wants to represent 73rd district in Des Moines
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · April 27, 2011
West Branch City Council member David Johnson last week said he would not run for re-election to the council, but will instead run as a Democratic candidate for state representative in the newly created 73rd district.
Johnson, who was first elected in 2007 and is nearing the end of his term, announced his intentions in a letter to the editor (See Page 2).
“Sometimes the only way to affect change is to be the person on the ballot,” Johnson said, stating that he is running because of a “conglomeration of issues ranging from the lack of funding for our institutions of higher education as well as K-12 and preschool, the need for tax increment finance reform, reform in the regulation of our utilities, corporate income tax reform as well as eliminating corporate welfare at all levels.”
The council member said his experience with the city factored into his decision to run for state representative.
“One thing that I’ve learned sitting on the city council is that so much of what you can and cannot achieve at the city level is dictated in part by what happens at the state level,” he said.
Johnson said he believes West Branch voters want the same things as the rest of the country -- education, jobs, environment, safety.
“They want to be able to live in safe communities, send their children to schools that will adequately prepare their children for life,” he said. “They want affordable housing and transportation, as well as a clean environment. And they want quality jobs that can help them attain their goals.
Johnson said he has “the stomach to fight the tough battles.”
“I’m not sure if it was my upbringing, education or perhaps my genes, but I have always had the stomach to take on the tough battles that nobody else wanted to fight,” he said. “Quite often this means I end up ruffling some feathers and stepping on toes. As a state representative I will continue to fight these tough battles, and I will continue to empower my constituents with the knowledge of what’s going on in Des Moines. As a state representative I will not forget that I am there to serve my constituents, not the interests of corporations or lobbyists.”
If selected as the Democratic nominee from this district, he will likely face longtime state Rep. Jeff Kaufmann (R-Wilton), who this year was elected speaker pro tem.
“Jeff will be a formidable candidate, even with the redistricting,” Johnson said. “But I believe that by starting my ground campaign this summer, I will be able to have sufficient one-on-one contact with my constituents to give the voters a sense of who I am, and what I intend to do. Constituents need to have a real connection and accessibility to their representatives. I intend to give them that. There is no doubt that a lot of voters see Jeff as having a pleasant personality, so the task for me will be to run against his record.”
Johnson, who works in the registrar’s office at the University of Iowa, said he hopes to give constituents “ownership” of his campaign.
“It will make our chances for victory attainable,” he said. “It’s all about getting your people on the ground early and getting out the vote on election day.”
Johnson said he has talked with local party officials and knows of no others running as Democrats in the 73rd representative district.
“I suspect there will be others,” he said. “I think having a competitive primary run is actually a healthy thing for the party, so a little competition would not be unappreciated.”
He plans a campaign kickoff, possibly in early summer and likely at his home.
“If we’re lucky it will be on a clear evening, so that I’ll be able to open up my observatory for my supporters, to enjoy a view through the telescope,” he said.
FYI
David Johnson’s view on issues:
• Education funding: “Funding for Education is my top priority, because that is the key to a healthy functioning society. Our children are our future. They will be making the tough decisions when we are in our golden years. That thought alone should inspire every elected official to make education a top priority. I will push for higher funding for our State Colleges and Community Colleges, K-12 and preschool programs."
• Business taxes: “Ending corporate welfare is also high on my list. Nothing has given me greater insight into the world of corporate welfare than my years on the city council. It comes in all forms, be it breaks in corporate income tax, tax increment financing, industrial property tax exemptions, etc. … I believe it is unconscionable to give tax breaks in whatever form, to large corporations or wealthy individuals, when so many of our people are out of work and losing their homes. The thing to remember about this is, these large companies are able to make huge profits in large part, because they use infrastructures paid for by you and me, the average tax paying citizen. With this in mind, I believe they should pay their fair share of the cost to maintain our infrastructure."
• Environmental mandates: “It is no surprise that the (Department of Natural Resources) is coming out with stricter regulations on wastewater management, and I believe this is a good thing. Everybody benefits when our rivers and streams are clean. With these new mandates, however, the state needs to provide local communities with the resources to help them achieve these higher standards. Unfunded mandates might achieve a quick public relations victory for a politician, but it doesn’t get your water any cleaner. I will push for adequate funding to help our communities achieve these higher standards.”
• Collective bargaining: “Protecting collective bargaining rights is also an issue for me. Recently we have seen a surge in assaults on unions and their ability to protect their members. If elected to the house, I will fight to keep unions strong in Iowa.”
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