The Republican who’s running for Iowa’s second district congressional seat says all American-made automobiles should be capable of burning "flexible fuels" like E-85, the higher blend of ethanol.
Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, an Ottumwa eye doctor, isn’t suggesting a set date for implementing such a standard, but she says it’s something that makes sense. "I support flex-fuel engines," she says. "I support higher mileage standards."
While she does not describe herself as passionate about global warming, Miller-Meeks says she believes we are to be good stewards of the earth. "We’re supposed to take care of our environment to have an earth that’s productive for generations to come," Miller-Meeks says. "I own a Honda Civic hybrid. I purchased it August 8th of 2002 and I get excellent mileage with my vehicle." Miller-Meeks gets between 36 and 44 miles to the gallon when driving around town and as much as 52 miles to the gallon when driving her Honda Civic hybrid on the highway.
Miller-Meeks is running against Democratic Congressman Dave Loebsack of Mount Vernon on November’s ballot. Iowa has never elected a woman to congress. During an appearance at the Iowa State Fair Thursday, Miller-Meeks told reporters she hasn’t noticed anything negative about being a female candidate. "Perhaps, you know, it’s there and I’m too naive to relate to it," she says. "But, you know, being the first woman president of the Iowa Medical Society and the first woman faculty (member) at the Department of Ophthalmology at University of Iowa, I was one of very few women in my medical school class — you know what sexism is," Miller-Meeks said.
Miller-Meeks is still trying to work full-time in her ophthalmology practice in Ottumwa, but Miller-Meeks told reporters she’s had to rearrange her schedule to campaign and her politicking is reducing her earnings.