Sexton, Schultes contend for votes within District 10 of Iowa House

Next Tuesday, a good portion of voters within Calhoun County and across the country will take a trip to the polls and cast their ballot for the individuals they believe should represent and serve Iowa, as well as act as the United States.

Those potential leaders include candidates for Iowa’s second seat in the U.S. Senate, the four seats with the U.S. House of Representatives and the President of the United States.

Just as much as voters are tasked with selecting individuals for those prestigious positions, the local positions are just as important. The State Representatives and the State Senators are those who are closest to their communities, when other positions or offices appear further away.

For District 10 of the Iowa House of Representatives, voters in Calhoun, Humboldt, Pocahontas and Webster counties will be able to choose between incumbent Mike Sexton (R – Rockwell City) and challenger Carmella Schultes (D – Rolfe).

The Graphic-Advocate reached out to both candidates with a handful of questions, to which both have graciously responded.

State Representative Mike Sexton – District 10’s Republican Party candidate

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? How did you get involved with politics?

“I became interested in politics when I was in high school. I was the kid that stayed up and watched the State of the Union speeches. Then, the Government teacher would have me give a report to the class for extra credit.

I went to my first caucus in 1980. I have attended every one since then. When I returned home from college, I was elected to the Calhoun County Central Committee. I then ran for the Iowa House in 1994 and was nearly defeated.

I then ran for the Iowa Senate in 1998 and was elected. I then took time off to raise my family. I ran for the House again in 2014, where I now serve as the Majority Whip.”

2. Do you enjoy talking about politics with others, especially with those with differing views or perspectives than your own?

“I love talking politics with anyone that has the time. Although I will say right now, most people are getting sick of it and just want to get the election over with. So, the commercials and phone calls will stop. I agree with that, as well.

When you are elected, there will also be a part of your district that did not vote for you, but you are still their Representative. So, when they need help or want to talk you, you need to give them your time. I also make it a priority to remain accessible to the people I serve.

I can easily be reached by phone or email, and I attend several public forums during the legislative session. I cannot promise that I will always make everyone happy, but I will always take the time to listen and take folks’ concerns seriously.”

3. What are some positive things that you see within District 10? What are some things that could use some improvement?

“HD 10 is a very rural district. It is consisting of hard-working people that just want a good living, good schools for their children and a safe place to raise their families. My priorities for the up coming session are the following.

I want to get our economy back on track. Iowa’s economy was doing very well before COVID-19. Unemployment was at record lows and wages were increasing. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent closure of schools and businesses has caused serious problems for many families.

As we prepare for next session, I will be on the lookout for opportunities to help Iowans get back to work and school safely and responsibly.

I want to skill up Iowa’s workforce. Workforce has been and continues to be the biggest challenge facing our employers. Before COVID-19, they had thousands of jobs open, but were not able to find workers with the skillsets necessary to fill them.

We should continue to invest in Iowa’s community colleges and the career training programs that they offer to Iowans. Iowa Central has been a tremendous partner in these efforts. When Iowans can master a skill and move up in their career or fill one of those open jobs that employers have, which leads to higher wages and take-home pay for families.

Expediting the development of affordable housing and high-speed broadband across the state is another way to address our workforce challenges.

I support agriculture, as it is the backbone of Iowa’s economy. I will continue to make sure that our farmers are supported. I will continue to prioritize water quality efforts too, by supporting the Nutrient Reduction Strategy, keep taxes low and encourage young Iowans to get into agriculture.

Our farmers do an incredibly important job feeding and fueling our state, country and the world, and I will stand up against any efforts to make that more difficult.”

4. What are some statewide issues that you want to alleviate, if you are elected? What are some projects that you would like to work on alongside your peers in the Iowa House?

“As most people in the district know for the past four years, I have been working on getting rid of moving our clocks twice a year. I have introduced legislation that will have Iowa stay on Daylight Savings Time year around. The good reasons to keep moving our clocks twice a year in this modern age aren’t there anymore.

I believe that getting our economy back on track is especially important. I believe there will be many issues involved with that, and it’s something that I will be working with my peers on. I also have great concern for our small rural churches. No one is talking about that. I think they are going to need help, or we are going to lose them.”

5. Here's where you can make your "sales pitch." Why should people vote for you when filling out ballots or hitting the polls on Election Day?

“I believe my background makes me the best candidate for this office. As a fourth-generation family farmer and small business owner, I know how hard it is to make ends meet. I know how overwhelming unneeded regulations can be.

I have worked hard as this district’s State representative. I have been elected by my peers to be the Majority Whip, which is the fourth highest position in the House.

As HD 10’s current State Representative, I can hit the ground running immediately. During my time in the Legislature, I have worked with and built relationships with members of both parties. It is so that I can advance the priorities of the people living in Calhoun, Humboldt, Pocahontas, and Webster counties.”

Carmella Schultes – District 10’s Democratic Party candidate

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? How did you get involved with politics?

“I am a 37 year resident of Pocahontas County, where I raised four daughters and where my spouse practices veterinary medicine.

I graduated from Kansas State University in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in Education. My involvement in politics has been at the prompting of the county Democratic parties in District 10, who asked me to run in this election.”

2. Do you enjoy talking about politics with others, especially with those with differing views or perspectives than your own?

“I enjoy talking about politics very much and especially with anyone who can expand my perspective on an issue.

Around 2013 or so, I was so desperate to talk with people about politics that I opened a virtual coffee shop through a private Facebook page to find other people who enjoyed talking about substantive, sometimes controversial, topics. Especially in this political and social climate, staying in our comfortable echo chambers is dangerous and divisive.”

3. What are some positive things that you see within District 10? What are some things that could use some improvement?

“A community’s greatest strength is the people who comprise it. The people in District 10 are hard working people who will have your back without caring what your color or politics are. That's positive.

But those same people will vote against progress in immigration reform, climate mitigation, access to health care for all, higher minimum wages and any government programs that would reach down and lift up those that have been left behind. That could use some improvement. It isn't just a District 10 problem, of course.”

4. What are some statewide issues that you want to alleviate, if you are elected? What are some projects that you would like to work on alongside your peers in the Iowa House?

“Adequate mental health treatment facilities, legalization of marijuana for our Ag industry, education funding that keeps up with inflation, to name a few.”

5. Here's where you can make your "sales pitch." Why should people vote for you when filling out ballots or hitting the polls on Election Day?

“If elected, I will listen to the people of District 10 and the people across the aisle for the betterment of the state of Iowa and its citizenry.

I will put in the time to familiarize myself with the issues that come before the legislature and vote on bills in a manner consistent with the law and the values of the people of District 10.”