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Name: Jeff Edler, Republican (incumbent)

Office/District: State Senate District 36

Hometown: State Center

Profession: Farmer

Why running for office: “It’s still the same principles that led me to run the first time. First and foremost, continuing conservative budgeting practices and continued tax reform to make sure Iowa is truly a competitive environment for business, whether it be business or sole proprietors, small businesses — and also just on the individual level to make sure individuals are not being taxed any more than they absolutely should be.

“As far as the other reasons, continue to work on education — making sure that the funding that goes to education is being maximized and there is an efficient use of it. I’ve been a pretty large player on the mental health side of things here in the last few years. I’m really wanting to continue to try to drive those costs off of property tax holders while maintaining the autonomy of the mental health regions and the counties. So they still have a strong voice even though it’s not all the taxes being derived from their local level.

“Also, a huge issue is continuing to find ways to reduce health care costs. We’re somewhat limited at the state level, but as you’ve seen, we’ve pushed legislation through the Senate to minimize or provide tort reform for malpractice. Really we’re just trying to do the things we can at the local level to help keep those costs contained. Welfare reform is another huge item for me. As you may be aware, I had the amendment last year that became the community engagement bill of Sen. Schultz — really trying to make sure that able-bodied individuals are out being productive in the workforce and really earning their way through rather than just riding in the system.

“Finally, my largest issue is maintaining appropriate constitutional values, whether it be Second Amendment values or making sure everyone has the right to free speech, it’s not just a limited few.

“Those are probably the largest drivers that push me. We’ve got the election integrity bill we pushed through, that was huge to make sure those who were voting were supposed to be. That was a big piece of what I was looking at in the first term. And then obviously always trying to continue helping veterans any way we can. The Iowa Veterans Home is in my district. They’re a very important part of what I believe and how we got to where we are, the freedoms we have. I think we need to do what we can to take care of them with very high standards.

“Probably one of my more significant contributions to the state recently was the blackout plate, which was originally in my bill Senate File 88, which included the blackout plate and going to the 35 percent window tint. We did not get the window tint, but we did put the blackout plate in Standings. So that was a pretty big victory I think for the state of Iowa, whether it be the people who wanted the plates or the DOT for the revenue source.”

Facebook: Jeff Edler for State Senate

Sen. Jeff Edler is seeking re-election. He does have a Democrat opponent.

Author: Jacob Hall

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