Democratic candidates for the Iowa House are promising to raise the state’s minimum wage and take steps to improve the lives of “regular Iowans” if enough Democrats are elected in November.
Republicans currently hold a 53 to 47 seat majority in the Iowa House, which has given the GOP control of the debate agenda. House Democratic Leader Mark Smith of Marshalltown says other priorities for his party are expanding job training programs and taking steps to protect Iowa’s water resources.
“We have recruited excellent candidates to run for the General Assembly,” Smith says. “We feel that our responsibility is to get out there and sell ourselves as to why we are the best choice to serve in the Iowa House.”
Democrats are calling for tuition rates to remain the same for Iowans attending the state universities. That would be year three of a tuition freeze. Smith says Democrats also want to “revitalize rural Iowa” by expanding broadband and wi-fi service.
“We believe that the kind of effort we’re putting forth in the campaign is what will work well for us in the November election,” Smith says.
Republicans predict they’ll gain seats in the Iowa House this November and GOP leaders say Democrats are offering Iowans “tired ideas.” Democrats currently hold a narrow, two-seat edge in the Iowa Senate.