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Clayton: Iowans deserve government that cares

He is challenging Meyer in House race

Editor’s note: In the latest in a series of articles introducing candidates on the Nov. 3 general election ballot, Charles Clayton, the Democratic candidate for the Iowa House of Representatives in House District 9, answers some questions from The Messenger.

Clayton, of Fort Dodge, faces state Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge.

House District 9 includes Badger, Clare, Duncombe, Fort Dodge, Vincent and rural areas of northern Webster County.


What are three serious issues facing our state and what would you do to try to solve them?

The biggest issue facing our state right now is the pandemic. We need to get the coronavirus under control and get Iowans back to work safely. Iowa has the highest test positivity rate in the nation right now. We need to be doing a lot more testing and listening to scientists and public health experts when they tell us how to keep our communities safe.

A safe community is a healthy community, and we need to make sure that Webster County families can go to the doctor when they need to without worrying that they can’t afford it. Voting to deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions is wrong. Risking the closure of rural hospitals and clinics by privatizing Medicaid is wrong. I’ll work to protect people with pre-existing conditions and to keep rural hospitals open.

As a former public school employee and public school parent, I know that strong public schools can be a community’s biggest asset. But for far too long, the state has given historically low funding to public schools. I’ll fight to fully fund public schools so that we can hire and retain the best and brightest teachers, and set every child up to succeed.


What’s one thing you’ve learned in visiting with Iowans during your campaign?

I’ve heard from people across the 9th District that whether it’s health care, or schools, or the pandemic, they feel left behind by the state government, or worse. Early in my campaign, a senior citizen in our community told me he feels under attack. He said that Iowa’s Medicaid privatization was costing him more and putting his access to care at risk. Every member of our community deserves a state government that cares about them, and I’ll make sure they have it.


What sets you apart from your opponent?

I’m running for the Iowa House because I have lived these challenges. I’ve struggled, and I’ve learned what a blessing it is to have people looking out for you. Through all kinds of difficult situations, I’ve been an advocate for my own three kids and for my AFES students and their families. I know what this community can achieve when we come together because I’ve seen it. We need someone who will bring those values and that experience to the Legislature. I will.

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