OTTUMWA — State Rep. Mary Gaskill announced her plans to seek re-election in late December. It appears she will have a challenger from within her own party.
Gaskill drew a challenger in the 2010 Democratic primary this week as former Wapello County Supervisor Mike Petersen declared himself a candidate for her seat. Gaskill said she had heard rumors Petersen would challenge her but quickly shifted her comments back to the upcoming legislative session.
“I’ve really worked hard for the people and we’ve got quite a bit more to do,” she said Monday.
Gaskill, 68, serves as chairwoman of the Iowa House’s Local Government Committee, where she says her background in local politics plays a key role. She first won her seat as the representative from House District 93 in 2003, but that election came after a long tenure in local politics. She served 16 years as Wapello County Auditor before retiring from that office.
Gaskill won re-election in 2008 by a comfortable margin, taking 75 percent of the vote against Rick McClure, who ran as an independent. She was unopposed in the 2006 election.
During the 2009 legislative session Gaskill sponsored 22 bills or resolutions, including legislation to raise the state’s dropout age to 17 and ban the use of handheld cell phones by drivers on Iowa highways. She also sponsored a bill to establish a website database to allow Iowans to track the state’s spending of tax revenues.
Gaskill also sponsored a bill to require an election in order to approve use of increased local sales and services tax revenues for urban renewal projects. That bill was referred to her local government committee.
Much of Gaskill’s action on specific pieces of legislation came in the form of amendments. Those amendments generally came on bills before committees on which she sits, a list that includes the transportation, state government and environmental committees.
When Gaskill announced her re-election plans she said the economy was among her major concerns heading into the 2010 legislative session.
“In these tough economic times, we must keep focused on help for the middle class, creating jobs, and balancing the state budget. Every Iowa child deserves a world class education and quality health care,” she said. “It’s also essential that we keep tuition at Indian Hills Community College and other institutions affordable for all Iowans.”
Gaskill avoided direct comment on Petersen’s decision to seek the Democratic nomination.
“Well, it is a public job and everyone has that opportunity if they so choose,” she said.
District 93 includes all of Ottumwa and well as Adams, Cass, Center, Green and Polk townships in Wapello County.
The official filing period for candidates interested in state office is March 1-19.
Matt Milner can be reached at (641) 683-5359 or via e-mail at mmilner@ottumwacourier.com
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