Local Women in the House and Senate: State Races

House Representatives Mary Mascher, Vicki Lensing, and Dave Jacoby retained their seats while first timers State Senator Sharon Savage and House Representative Rebecca Spears (Who scored an upset of Jeff Kaufmann) earned their first terms, as did newcomers Nate Willems (replacing the retiring Ro Foege) and Larry Marek. This election showcased possible stars of tomorrow in a state that has never elected a female Governor or sent a woman to Congress.

State Senate (40th Dist)
Sharon Savage (D) 743 (59%)
James F. Hahn (R) 513 (41%)
Write In 1

State Rep (29th Dist)
Nate Willems (D) 4,753 (57%)
Emma Nemecek (R) 3,504 (42%)
Write In 16

State Rep (30th Dist)
Dave Jacoby (D) 15,751 (98%)
Write In 278

State Rep (77th Dist)
Mary Mascher (D) 11,229 (82%)
Chris L. Brewer (NP) 2,412 (18%)
Write In 88

State Rep (78th Dist)
Vicki Lensing (D) 15,621 (98%)
Write In 242

State Rep (79th Dist)
Rebecca Spears (D) 683 (55%)
Jeff Kaufmann (R) 557 (45%)
Write In 1

State Rep (89th Dist)
Larry K Marek (D) 1,986 (59%)
Jarad Klein (R) 1,396 (41%)
Write In 3

Lensing Says No Way to SJR2002

Representative Lensing agree that Iowa waterways are increasingly more polluted, that funding is cut to natural resources, but is against the only guaranteed way to create a permanent funding stream to do something about this environmental crisis. What's wrong with this picture?

Thank you for your concerns about SJR2002. You are correct - the Iowa River is one of the most polluted rivers.

I do support funding for natural resources - but through an appropriated stream of dollars not a Constitutional amendment.

I want you to know that during my time in the Legislature, I have worked for and supported protecting our environment and natural resources. I have consistently voted for increased funding for REAP and other programs for the environment. I appreciate your concerns about sustainable funding.

However - changing the Constitution is not something I take lightly. The Constitution is the framework for our state government. Putting budgetary items in the Constitution is not something I support.

The Legislature crafts a new budget each year based on revenue and proposals. I know that the Natural Resources budget has been cut repeatedly and the Legislature needs to work on keeping those dollars where they are allocated.

I will continue to work on water and air quality, parks and trails, wildlife and natural resource issues. But I cannot support SJR2002.

Thanks you again for contacting me about this legislation.

~ Vicki Lensing
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Mental Health Day for Iowa Politicos

Today (Cinco de Mayo) the Johnson County Chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness held their NAMI Walk in City Park. The Honorable David Loebsack, State Senator Joe Bolkcom, State Representative Vicki Lensing, County Supervisors Rod Sullivan and Sally Stutsman, County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek , City Council member Amy Correia were in attendence. I missed Dave Loebsack remarks to the crowd, but the Congressman is a supporter of mental health parity.

450 people were there. It was a busy morning for the local dignitaries with the Crisis Center Breakfast down the road and Hillary Clinton's office opening uptown. Apparently Vicki Lensing and Sally Stutsman are planting roots in the Clinton camp which must have be awkward with Mayor Wilburn being the co-chair of the Obama campaign flipping flapjacks at the Crisis Center Breakfast.

An Important Victory for Iowa Civil Rights

I received this just a short time ago from State Representative Vicki Lensing.

Garry –

I hope you have heard that the Civil Rights bill passed the House tonight, 59-37. We have worked toward the passage of this bill for a long time and I am very proud to have been a part of it.

~ Vicki Lensing

Congratulations to the House leadership for taking action! SF 427 extends civil rights protections to gay, lesbian and transgender people in the state to ban discrimination in the workplace and in housing. Also, congratulations in Johnson County to Janelle Rettig and many others in the GLBT community who have worked so hard for so long to accomplish this milestone.