Meet the candidate running for Iowa House District 39 in Pleasant Hill, Des Moines

One candidate is running in the primary election to represent Iowa House District 39, which includes Pleasant Hill and part of northeast Des Moines.

Incumbent Democrat Rick L. Olson is running for an 11th term in the Iowa House of Representatives. No other candidates filed to run in the primary.

To help voters, the Des Moines Register sent questions to all federal and Des Moines area legislative candidates running for political office this year. Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

The primary election is scheduled for June 4 ahead of the Nov. 5 general election.

Who is Rick L. Olson (incumbent)?

Age: 73

Party: Democratic

Current town of residence: Des Moines

Education: Law degree

Occupation: Attorney

Political experience and civic activities: 10-term state representative; former assistant Polk County attorney; member of the Iowa State Bar Association; Polk County Bar Association; Iowa Association for Justice; Des Moines Elks, Moose International; and Farm Bureau. Past board member of the Iowa Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and past member of the Polk County Magistrate Appointing Commission.

What would be your top issue should you be elected?

Olson: Improving educational results for our children and guaranteeing a woman's right to make her own reproductive choices.

What policies would you support to improve Iowa’s education system?

Olson: Eliminate vouchers for private schools paid for by Iowa taxpayers.

What do you think Iowa’s tax policy should be? Do you believe the state’s priority should be on lowering rates or spending on services for Iowans?

Olson: We can lower taxes for working Iowans, increase taxes on the wealthy, and in so doing, maintain spending on necessary services for Iowans.

What policies would you support to improve school safety in Iowa?

Olson: In that schools, K-12 vary in enrollment and building design, I think it is best that school safety choices be left to the local school boards. Obviously, we want to keep our children safe, but what works in Davenport may not work in Clarinda. Public safety needs to be tailored to the community i.e.: school resource officers, firearms screening, classroom panic alarms connected to law enforcement.

What next steps do you believe the Iowa Legislature should take when it comes to abortion?

Olson: Pass a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a woman's right to choose.

Chris Higgins covers the eastern and northern suburbs for the Register. Reach him at [email protected] or 515-423-5146 and follow him on Twitter @chris_higgins_

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Meet the candidate, Rick Olson, running for Iowa House District 39