Voter guide: Poweshiek County

Introducing candidates for local office

Zoe Zappas, Community Editor • October 13, 2024

The S&B sent a questionnaire polling the candidates running for Poweshiek County local office on their campaign platforms and backgrounds on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. Candidates were given until noon on Friday, Oct. 11 to respond. Below are candidates’ full responses to the six questions.

State Representative District 53

Tommy Hexter `21, Iowa House District 53 candidate, gestures towards the crowd on Tues. Oct. 1, 2024. (Marc Duebener)

Tommy Hexter, Democrat

Biographical information:

Tommy Hexter, 25, Democratic Party, Grinnell, Director of Grinnell Farm to Table and Policy Specialist with Iowa Farmers Union.

What are the most pressing issues you hope to address while in office?

Water Quality, Public Education, Small Business and Small Farm Tax Credits, Reproductive Freedom.

Why should voters cast their ballot for you?

I represent a new vision for Iowa.

What is your stance on abortion laws? Specifically, how do you feel about the 6-week abortion ban?

We need to repeal the six-week abortion ban. Women's medical choices need to be between them and trusted medical professionals, not the government. Making reproductive healthcare more accessible will support women and medical professionals who live or may want to live in our state.

What is your stance on Iowa compulsory education laws, specifically SF 496?

There is an attack on public education in Iowa, evidenced by curriculum manipulation, book-banning, and drastic underfunding of our school systems. I believe it is very important that schools are not censored on the subjects that they teach. Compulsory education laws are intentionally punitive to incentivize people to leave public school systems. I believe we need to end the compulsory education laws.

If elected, what are three action steps or legislative policies you would pursue that would impact Poweshiek County?

1. Use state funds to invest in the Choose Iowa Program so that farmers have more options of crops to grow and Iowans have access to affordable local food.

2. Mandate riparian buffers along major waterways in our state and fund farmers and landowners to plant and maintain these buffers to clean up our water quality.

3. Work on a joint resolution calling the Governor to sign on to the USDA's Summer EBT program which would provide children and families much needed food over the school break.

Dean Fisher, Iowa House District 53 candidate, speaks to the crowd on Tues. Oct. 1, 2024. (Marc Duebener)

Dean Fisher, Republican

Fisher did not submit responses to the candidate questionnaire.

Poweshiek County Supervisor

Diana Dawley, Democrat

Biographical information:

My name is Diana Dawley. I am a lifelong resident of Poweshiek County. My husband, son and I farm and look forward to our grandson joining us after he finishes college. We have a Heritage farm that has been in my family since 1866. I was appointed County Auditor in 2006, worked with elections and served as the secretary to the Board of Supervisors. In 2016 I ran for County Supervisor and will finish my second 4-year term at the end of the year. I am a member of the Poweshiek County Democratic party.

What are the most pressing issues you hope to address while in office?

One of the most pressing concerns we will be addressing are legislative actions. We have been told the legislature will put a limit on growth of our valuations in Poweshiek County. That means we may be required to cut services to residents. This could include financial reductions in law enforcement, county roads, elections, welfare, veteran affairs, conservation and other services provided by the County. Another concern is business and population growth. Recently a new countywide economic development director has been hired to address those issues.

Why should voters cast their ballot for you?

Experience. As County Supervisor and former County Auditor I understand the difficult decisions that will need to be made. This includes compiling a responsible County budget for the next four years.

What is your stance on abortion laws? Specifically, how do you feel about the 6-week abortion ban?

No response provided.

What is your stance on Iowa compulsory education laws, specifically SF 496?

No response provided.

If elected, what are three action steps or legislative policies you would pursue that would impact Poweshiek County?

An important issue is Mental Health, nationally and locally. In the past we had a mental health center. Retaining Brenda Dailey would be a priority to me. I would oppose the legislature terminating the ability of local governments to use the Local Option Sales tax. Currently Grinnell utilizes the local option sales tax. Opposing restrictions on local governments to fiscally meet the needs of their citizens.

John Clayton, Independent

Biographical information:

John Clayton has no party affiliation, earned a University of Iowa MA, taught secondary school for twenty-seven years, and two years as a P.A. college instructor. He is 71 years old, an LGBTQ community member, Roman Catholic, a Brooklyn area farmer, and a past Poweshiek County Soil and Water Commissioner.

What are the most pressing issues you hope to address while in office?

We were still reeling from inflation a few years ago, and now a looming climate crisis threatens to unleash rising home energy costs, challenging regular people’s purchasing power. Additionally, political messaging attacks against immigrants, women’s healthcare, and the LGBTQ community are harmful.

Why should voters cast their ballot for you?

I would work on preventing property tax increases, help homeowners access grants to reduce energy costs, and advocate for equality for all.

What is your stance on abortion laws? Specifically, how do you feel about the 6-week abortion ban?

I believe in a woman's right to make her own health care decisions.

What is your stance on Iowa compulsory education laws, specifically SF 496?

LGBTQ students should be accepted and not discriminated against. In other words, an LGBTQ+ person isn't broken, nothing needs to be fixed.

If elected, what are three action steps or legislative policies you would pursue that would impact Poweshiek County?

1. Hire a sustainability director to assist Grinnell homeowners with grants to reduce home energy bills.

2. Cover the Grinnell Farmers’ Market fee charged to food venders. This encourages participation and enables lower food pricing.

3. Provide a travel voucher for women seeking women's health care in Illinois or Minnesota.

Jacki Bolen, Republican

Biographical information:

My name is Jacki Bolen and I am your Republican candidate for Poweshiek county Board of Supervisors. I was born and raised in Poweshiek county and I currently live in Montezuma. I have been a small business owner for over 30 years. I’m a former council member and mayor of Montezuma.

What are the most pressing issues you hope to address while in office?

Our declining population has affected our school enrollment and workforce. We need to do better at marketing and promoting our county. We also have a mental health crisis that will require lobbying at the state level for funding to help alleviate this crisis. Another issue that needs to be on the radar is a possible reduction of revenue due to recent property tax reforms. We will need to balance our demands, while addressing needs.

Why should voters cast their ballot for you?

I am a forward thinker that believes in a common sense approach. I believe in being involved in the decision making that happens at the State House by communicating with our legislators, advocating for our needs and bringing results back to our county.

What is your stance on abortion laws? Specifically, how do you feel about the 6-week abortion ban?

I recognize that unexpected pregnancies can create significant challenges, and we must ensure women have access to the support and resources they need. The six-week marker is significant as it coincides with the detection of a heartbeat, which is an indicator of life.

What is your stance on Iowa compulsory education laws, specifically SF 496?

I support public schools. I also support parents having the rights to send their child to whichever school they feel is best for their child/family.

If elected, what are three action steps or legislative policies you would pursue that would impact Poweshiek County?

1) Promote and populate Poweshiek county.

2) Take steps to address our mental health crisis.

3) Prepare our county to maintain fiscal responsibility.

Poweshiek County Sheriff

Matthew Maschmann, Republican

Biographical information:

Matt Maschmann/47 years old/Republican/Rural Deep River/Deputy with Poweshiek County for 20 years.

What are the most pressing issues you hope to address while in office?

Mental Health plays a major role in the Law Enforcement Community. I would like to see better and more services for our residents.

Why should voters cast their ballot for you?

I have to the knowledge and experience to lead the Sheriff’s Office based upon 20 years of service.

What is your stance on abortion laws? Specifically, how do you feel about the 6-week abortion ban?

The Sheriff’s Office does create the laws we are bound to uphold what our legislators and the public make into law.

What is your stance on Iowa compulsory education laws, specifically SF 496?

Same as above.

If elected, what are three action steps or legislative policies you would pursue that would impact Poweshiek County?

The employees of the Sheriff’s Office will be more involved with the Poweshiek County community as a whole, participating and attending public events, I will work with our local resources to create better mental health services and availability to our citizens and we will work closely with the School systems in our County to ensure that our children and young adults have a safe environment to learn and grow.

Maschmann is running unopposed.

Poweshiek County Auditor

Missy Eilander, Republican

Eilander did not submit responses to the candidate questionnaire. She is running unopposed.

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include Jacki Bolen’s responses. Bolen submitted her responses to the candidate questionnaire on Monday, Oct. 14.

About the Contributors

Zoe Zappas, Community Editor

Zoe is a second-year gender, women's, and sexuality studies and Spanish double major. Originally a Clevelander, she fell down the Ohio-to-California pipeline and is now labeled a fake midwesterner. Zoe is a lover of song association games, dancing in grocery stores, spoken word poetry and rattlesnake grass.

Khanh Do, Visuals Editor

Khanh Do is a first-year Computer Science intended. She calls the famous melting pot of culture and food, Hanoi city, Vietnam, home, and so, as you can guess, she is *surviving* D-hall.

Voter guide: Poweshiek County

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