Senate District 24 includes Boone, Greene and Hamilton counties, southeast Webster County and northwest Story County. The incumbent, state Sen. Jerry Behn, R-Boone, is retiring.

Oppedal Paschen faces Keith Puntenny for the Democratic nomination. The Republican contenders are Chad Behn, Joshua Dyer, Jesse Green and Todd Rasmussen.

Here are Oppedal Paschen’s responses.

What is your previous political experience?

I have worked on campaigns since I was in high school. I got started making phone calls for Tom Harkin’s campaign for Congress in 1976. In college, I founded Students for (John B.) Anderson at ISU. He ran as an Independent candidate for president in 1980. Most recently, I helped my husband run for Congress in 2018.

What is your profession?

Since 1998, I have been a volunteer with Mary Greeley Hospice. Before becoming a full-time volunteer, I worked in journalism, community organizing and fundraising.

What is your educational background?

I graduated from Iowa State University in Ames with a degree in journalism and mass communications.

Why should the voters pick you?

To bring a new voice for rural Iowa.

In your opinion, what is the No. 1 issue facing the state and what would you seek to do about it if elected?

Our state is without leadership and during our time of crisis, we need new leaders who are unafraid of new ideas. First and foremost, we need to ensure that Iowans have access to health care. Our rural hospitals will need serious help to survive, and too many Iowans don’t have access to quality heath care, and mental health care.

What would you recommend to rejuvenate the economy?

Rather than focusing on huge tax breaks for corporations who may ultimately leave the state, we ought to focus on small businesses, small farms, innovative tech, and public education. Most decisions to relocate in Iowa are influenced by our quality schools. We need to adequately fund public education to continue to draw families and businesses.

What would you do to bring jobs to rural Iowa?

If we are going to bring jobs to rural Iowa, we must think creatively about making rural Iowa a desirable place to live and work. This can happen at the local level with community-based projects funding the arts, great public schools, access to clean water and outdoor recreation, access to locally grown food and quality health care.

What changes in the health care system, if any, would you recommend in response to the coronavirus pandemic?

Changes in the health care system ought to be driven by public health providers, not politicians.