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Lynn Evans is one of two Republicans seeking the GOP nomination in Iowa Senate District 3. Here are his answers to The Iowa Standard’s 2022 GOP Legislative Survey:

GENERAL QUESTIONS:

Describe your worldview and how that will influence you as a legislator:

I have a Christian worldview. My faith guides me in how I try to live my life. It is the foundation for all of my decisions both personal and professional.

In your opinion, what are the three most pressing issues the legislature should address:

Workforce development, affordable housing, and access to affordable daycare are issues that I have heard in every community I have visited. These three issues are interconnected and all have a direct influence on economic development and entrepreneurship.

Protecting the rights of the unborn and working to ensure that abortion cannot be interpreted as a right in Iowa and that no taxpayer money goes to abortion clinics.

Medical freedom needs to be protected in this state. No employer, business, or government entity should be able to mandate vaccines or require proof of vaccination status for any reason.

Feel free to explain your ideal tax policy/policies for Iowa (included in this section in order to allow for as much flexibility as possible):

Tax reforms passed in the current legislative session makes Iowa more competitive for business and industry as well as allowing taxpayers to keep more of their hard earned money.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is one area that warrants discussion for future change. Requiring some demonstration of how a TIF will encourage economic development that can’t be accomplished by other means is something I would like to see considered. Tax Increment Financing is an economic development tool that should be used sparingly as they can raise property taxes for local taxpayers not include in the TIF district.

Have you or will you sign The Big Family Pledge:

I have signed it.

FREE MARKET:

Do you believe the government should force consumers to buy a product:

No

Do you believe the government should force retailers to sell a product:

No

Do you support reforming or eliminating Iowa’s Certificate of Need laws:

Yes, I am in favor of Certificate of Need reform. The current laws restrict competition that would make medical services more affordable for Iowans.

Do you support periodic reviews of all government licenses and boards to ensure they’re necessary:

Yes. Occupational license reform for jobs not directly related to public health or safety will make it easier for individuals to find work in their chosen field, and helps address the workforce need in the state.

LIFE:

Do you support the Protect Life Amendment to the Iowa Constitution:

Yes

When do you believe life begins and at what stage does it deserve protections under the law:

Life begins at conception and at that time the child is a genetically unique individual. Life deserves protection from conception to natural death.

EDUCATION:

Would you support universal Education Savings Accounts for Iowa families:

Parents should have a choice in how their child is educated. The Parental Choice bill that is currently being debated is an option I can support. We need to also continue to provide resources to public schools as well. This can’t turn into a fight over financial resources between public and private education.  All children should have access to a world-class education.

Do you believe obscene materials and pornographic materials belong in public school libraries:

Absolutely not.

In what grade should schools begin providing instruction to students on sexual orientation and gender identity:

Instruction on sexual orientation and gender identy should not be a part of a school’s curriculum at any grade level.

Would you support a bathroom bill in Iowa, which states biological males use the boys’ bathroom and biological females use the girls’ bathroom:

Yes, I would support a bathroom bill. Biological boys should use the boys’ facilities (bathroom and locker room). Biological girls should use the girls’ facilities.

LGBTQ:

Should gender identity be stripped out of the Iowa Civil Rights code:

Yes

Should Iowa make it illegal for minors to undergo sex-change surgery and treatments:

Yes

Should Iowa schools/teachers ask students for preferred pronouns:

No

Should Iowa require schools/teachers to share a child’s “preferred pronoun” and/or “gender identity” with the child’s parent(s)/guardian(s):

Yes. It should be the responsibility of the school to communicate with parents any change in their child’s preferred pronoun or gender identity while at school.

Do you support banning conversion therapy (making it illegal for a parent to take a child to a health care professional to talk about confusion as it relates to sexual orientation or gender identity)?

If the question relates solely to a parent seeking help from a health care professional for a child that is exhibiting confusion about their sexual orientation or gender identity, that should remain the right of the parent. It should be a discussion between the family and the healthcare provider.

If the question is alluding to, in any way, medical procedures conducted on a minor (that might be irreversible or have life changing effects) in an attempt to change that minor child from their birth gender to another gender, that should not be allowed.

COVID RELATED:

Do you believe any institution – whether private or governmental – should be able to mandate a vaccination?

No. A person should have the right to choose whether they receive a vaccination or not. Vaccination status should be private and that privacy should be protected. A person should not be required to provide proof of vaccination for any reason.

How could the Iowa legislature have handled the COVID pandemic differently?

Given the early unknown nature of the virus, I believe the Iowa legislature and the Governor handled the pandemic better than many states.  

I never agreed with the government having a say in closing churches. That is a decision that should have been left to the churches themselves. It was a violation of our citizens’ First Amendment right to religious freedom.

Do you believe Iowa should reform the Governor’s emergency powers?

The Governor’s emergency powers, as well as, when and how they can be used should be a topic discussed and debated in the legislature.

CLOSING QUESTIONS:

Are there any issues of disagreement you have with the Republican Party of Iowa platform from 2018?

No

What improvements, if any, would you make to Iowa’s voting laws to ensure elections are fair and full of integrity?

Iowa has worked to have voting laws in place that ensure we have one of the safest and most fair elections in the U.S.  

During the Covid pandemic, the mass mailing of absentee request forms was an overreach and opened the door for potential voter fraud. This should not be allowed to happen in the future. We have laws and procedures in place for absentee voting and those need to be followed without exception.

IOWA SENATE DISTRICT 3:

Evans is running against Anthony LaBruna, who is yet to respond to the survey.

To learn more about Evans and his campaign, you can follow his Facebook page here. 

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