Meet the candidates running for Iowa House District 41 in Ankeny

Three candidates are running in the primary election to represent Iowa House District 41, which includes northern Ankeny.

Incumbent Rep. Molly Buck, a Democrat, is seeking a second term in the Iowa House. Matthew Smith and Ryan Weldon are running in the Republican primary. The winner is expected to face Buck in the November general election.

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.

More: Everything you need to know about the June 4 primary election, including voting absentee

Who is Molly Buck (incumbent)?

Age: 54

Party: Democratic

Current town of residence: Ankeny

Education: Bachelor of Science in education from UNL; master's of teacher leadership from Drake

Occupation: Teacher

Political experience and civic activities: Past president of Ankeny Education Association; Heartland AEA Advisory Council; member of the Iowa Unity Coalition; Iowa House of Representatives 90th General Assembly

Who is Matthew Smith?

Age: 57

Party: Republican

Current town of residence: Ankeny

Education: Bachelor of Business Administration Finance, University of Iowa; MBA, Drake University

Occupation: Retired from banking (34 years)

Political experience and civic activities: I have never ran for a political office however have assisted with several campaigns throughout my life. I am an active member of Our Lady's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. I have also been involved with many athletic events and programs including supporting youth and high school programs.

Who is Ryan Weldon?

Age: 40

Party: Republican

Current town of residence: Ankeny

Education: Bachelor of Science in Christian leadership and management, Liberty University

Occupation: Digital business development manager

Political experience and civic activities: Iowa Board of Educational Examiners; president of Ankeny Community School District Board of Education

What would be your top issue should you be elected?

Buck: Our Iowa quarter is themed with Foundation in Education, and my top priority is the health of our public education system. I will continue to be a voice for our public education system. Our schools need adequate, on-time funding and the full support of our Legislature.

Smith: Continue efforts to streamline the government ensuring we are spending your money (taxes) wisely. I have been involved with several corporate reorganizations throughout my banking career and the government should be no different. Another priority is mental health. We need an all-hands-on approach to tackling the mental health challenges that we are facing today. This includes: 1) adequate funding for state mental health facilities, 2) an increase in trained mental health professionals and staff sufficient to meet the needs of our state and 3) working with our schools to develop programs/services to identify and meet the needs of our at-risk children.

Weldon: Education

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

Buck: I continue to support our tax dollars supporting our public schools. I support letting local school boards have autonomy over the educational policies that work in their own communities. I support equal access for special education students across our state through the use of Area Education Agencies. I support early childhood education. I support rigorous standards for our Iowa students. I support anti-bullying policies that support all students in our schools.

Smith: We must stay committed to cultivating and expecting excellence for our children. I would oppose any national standards efforts and advocate for local control of our education. Parents should have a voice in their children’s education journey. I would support school choice, giving all students the option for what is best for their family. A comprehensive review of how we deliver education services should be ongoing to ensure we are meeting the needs of Iowans. I would support efforts to meet the mental health needs of our students. Teachers and school counselors know the at-risk students; we need to equip them with the tools they need to provide these students with needed support.

Weldon: Education is a multifaceted topic with interconnectivity at each level that has impacts we can see throughout society. Career readiness is of particular concern to me. We've made good progress to support our local schools in that area, but I believe there's always an opportunity to improve. For example, we can establish more career and technical education courses with credit hours required for graduation and continue revising qualifications for instructors to attract more career readiness instructors, and ensure students have an opportunity to learn from professionals with current industry knowledge.

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?

Buck: Our Legislature has a duty to Iowans to balance the amount of revenue brought in with adequate services to enhance the lives of Iowans. It is possible to do this without placing the tax burden on the people who can least afford it. Taxes should be less for people with less assets. The movement to a flat tax system will work if it is truly a flat tax where everyone pays their share. If we are going to continue to allow exemptions, we need to keep a progressive tax system. In order to maintain a robust educational system, adequate infrastructure, mental health services, and the safety of our communities, we must spend adequate amounts of money responsibly.

Smith: As Iowans, we should be proud of our efforts to not spend more than we take in and have consistent surplus budgets giving us choices. A balanced budget amendment on the national level is needed; this is no different from American families being expected to balance their personal finances every day. Reducing taxes and wasteful spending allows families to keep more of their hard earned money to meet obligations. The focus should be to support opportunities to streamline government where it makes sense, focus on delivering best-in-class services while removing wasteful spending, reduce state income taxes and initiate property tax reform.

Weldon: Under the leadership of fiscally conservative Republicans, Iowa has proven that the foundation of any sound tax policy is reasonable budgeting and disciplined spending. I support the current efforts to reduce the tax burden, especially at a time where Iowans are struggling to put food on the table and make ends meet due to high inflation.

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

Buck: I support a multifaceted approach to school safety encompassing various aspects such as mental health support, conflict resolution strategies, and community engagement. Prioritizing mental health helps schools address underlying issues that may result in violence or harm. Collaboration with local authorities and community organizations enhances overall safety measures and provides students with access to additional support networks. Implementing comprehensive safety protocols, including regular drills and thorough risk assessments further fortifies the school environment.

Smith: I would support additional funding to help our schools make improvements to secure the buildings and hire security officers in high schools where it makes sense. I support allowing our teachers to be armed (voluntarily) with proper training and ongoing support. I do think we need to do more to support the mental health needs of our students. As teachers and school counselors identify at-risk students, they need tools to get them the help needed.

Weldon: Every school district faces the challenge of ensuring the safety of students and staff on a daily basis. Foundationally, I believe we need to do a better job of supporting mental health by connecting families with necessary resources and partnering with parents to engage with students to prevent them from resorting to violence. Additionally, we can support districts by investing in more security infrastructure in and around buildings as well as digitally through cybersecurity measures.

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

Buck: Decisions regarding reproductive health care should be made by individuals in consultation with their health care providers. The Legislature needs to center on protecting reproductive rights, ensuring access to comprehensive health care services, and respecting an individual's autonomy and decision-making abilities concerning their own bodies. I would prioritize policies that promote comprehensive sexual education, contraceptive access, and affordable health care options, which are proven to reduce unintended pregnancies and the need for abortions.

Smith: I am a pro-life candidate and support the restriction of abortion with exceptions for the health of the mother, rape and incest. Being pro-life goes beyond laws around restricting abortions. We need to do more to educate new mothers and families about their baby and do more to support life choices. We also need to ensure we support these new families post birth with pro-family legislation ensuring they have the services needed, along with pro-business legislation to create good paying jobs.

Weldon: Ultimately the next steps will be dependent upon the decision of the Iowa Supreme Court as they decide for a second time if the "fetal heartbeat bill" will be upheld or not. Based on what I've heard from voters, Iowans want abortion policy that reasonably protects the lives of unborn children and also allows for exceptions in instances of rape, incest, and health of the mother.

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 candidates running for Iowa House District 41 in Ankeny