Two seek GOP nomination for House District 94 seat

By MARK NEWMAN Courier staff writer

Editor’s note: Between now and June 3, the Courier will profile candidates in contested area county and statewide races.

BLOOMFIELD — Republicans Howard Hubbard and John Bridges II didn’t have a bad word to say about each other while preparing for the primary election. But one of them will move on to the general election to take on incumbent Rep. Kurt Swaim, D-Bloomfield, for his seat as state representative of District 94.

Bridges said he decided to run when Swaim did not work to get the “marriage amendment” (sometimes called the gay-marriage ban) onto the floor of the House for a vote.

“Whether you support it or oppose it, the fact is the people should have the right to vote on an amendment to the state constitution, and we were denied that right,” he said. “Somebody’s got to do something about this.”

He could be that person because of his core beliefs, he claims.

“I have strong convictions. I don’t get up in the morning and stick my finger to the wind. You’ll know where I stand on issues,” Bridges said. “I don’t plan on letting the Republican party use me as a tool; I plan on using the Republican party as a tool. As a tool to help move southern Iowa forward, as a tool to [create a more] pro-business environment, to encourage small businesses [in order] to stimulate the economies of these counties. It’s time to work with like-minded people, like the [members of the] Republican party — but not to give them a rubber stamp.”

Another issue he is focussing on is the state inventing new programs, then forcing local municipalities to pay for them.

“One thing I would definitely work for is to abolish all unfunded mandates,” he said. “Counties have a limited budget, and by the time they get done paying for all these unfunded mandates, they only have a little bit left to pay for what they need.”

Bridges said the phone number used for his campaign, and which he will keep as his number should he win the seat, will be to his cell phone.

“I’d listen to my constituents rather than the heads of my party. I emphatically believe the people should have a direct line to their officials. I don’t care if I get 200 calls a day, you can get a hold of me.”

Hubbard believes it’s time for someone like him to serve District 94, someone who isn’t a politician.

“A common man needs to step up and say ‘I’m not going to fall; I’m going to stand up and represent the people.’ We only have what we have because people stand up.”

He would stand on behalf of his constituents, he said.

“My job is not to dictate, my job is to represent the people. As a representative, it’s not my job to say, ‘You people will live this way,’ it’s my job to go to Des Moines and say, ‘This is how my people want to live.’”

For example, representatives should fight when the government tries to dictate personal behavior. So even though Hubbard does not smoke, he would refuse to tell smokers how to live their lives.

“It’s a smoker’s choice. You’re letting the state dictate personal behavior,” he argued. “And I was concerned about the education bill they pushed through, mandating a [statewide] curriculum. I think it should be left up to the individual school districts. We have school boards for a reason. Government has gotten too big and is getting into areas they don’t need to get into.”

He’d like to have the state and local governments work together to stimulate the economy.

Hubbard said he also believes in defending family values.

“I think one of the things we are facing is our family values are under attack. I believe the same sex marriage ban should get out of committee ... and be put before the people for a vote ... that marriage is between a man and a woman.”

He said he wouldn’t be the servant of special interest groups.

“One thing about me is, I’m not for sale. I can’t be bought. They call me naivé but I don’t care. I believe in what our government was founded on. If you stick to the basic core beliefs, that’s what made us great. And regardless of what the Republican party or whoever wants me to do, I’m not responsible to them — I’m responsible to the people.”

Mark Newman can be reached at 683-5358 or by e-mail at mgnewman@mchsi.com.