Where Brad Sherman and Elle Wyant stand on key issues in the Iowa House District 91 race
Republican Brad Sherman and Democrat Elle Wyant are running for the open Iowa House of Representatives seat in District 91.
Sherman is a first-time political candidate from Iowa County, a conservative pastor and chair of the Iowa County Republican Central Committee. Wyant works at UPS Airlines in sales and is an LGBTQ activist from Marengo.
Sherman handily won a six-way race for the Republican nomination with 55.5% of the vote in June while Wyant ran uncontested in the Democratic primary.
This is an open seat covering parts of rural Johnson County and all of Iowa County that was created when the Iowa Legislature approved new district maps after the 2020 U.S. Census.
To help voters, the Press-Citizen sent questions to all Iowa City area legislative candidates. Their answers appear in alphabetical order by last name and have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Sherman chose not to fill out the Press-Citizen's questionnaire. For the benefit of voters, the Press-Citizen has pulled together some of his recent statements on issues related to the questions where possible.
There has been no candidate forum yet for this Iowa House seat for the general election. Sherman declined a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters in early October, but did participate in a forum for the Republican Party primary in May.
Early voting for the Nov. 8 election starts Oct. 19. More information about how to register to vote, what's on the ballot and where to vote can be found at https://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/auditor/elections.
More:Johnson County voting guide 2022: What's on the ballot, how to register and how to vote early
Who is Brad Sherman?
Age: 67
Party: Republican
Where did you grow up? Did not answer
Current town of residence: Rural Iowa County
Education: Did not answer
Occupation: Pastor at Solid Rock Christian Church in Coralville
Political experience and civic activities: Chair of the Iowa County Republican Central Committee and former campaign chair for Pastors for Huckabee in Mike Huckabee's presidential candidacy in 2016.
Who is Elle Wyant?
Age: 44
Party: Democrat
Where did you grow up? Marengo
Current town of residence: Marengo
Education: Bachelor of arts in speech communication at Iowa State University
Occupation: Air cargo sales at UPS Airlines
Political experience and civic activities: Board of directors member at OneIowa in Des Moines for the past three years. Previously the regional chairwoman for UPS LGBTQ business resource group.
What would be your top issue should you be elected?
Sherman: Did not answer.
Wyant: My top three issues are education, economic development and equity. We need to fund public schools and encourage the younger generation to get involved in teaching. We need to enhance our rural businesses, specifically industrial manufacturing, to attract new workers and higher-paying jobs. We also should protect those living in Iowa who are often overlooked, such as the LGBTQ community, to provide them with health care access and protections in the workforce.
Iowans are struggling with rising costs and inflation. What can the state do to help them make ends meet?
Sherman: Did not answer.
Wyant: Child care is very expensive and it's hard for low- to middle-wage families to afford child care. Often times, one of the guardians has to make a hard choice and stay home to take care of the children till they are able to attend school. I would like to see greater access to free preschool/kindergarten and state vouchers to school lunch program.
What do you believe Iowa’s abortion policy should be? Do you think abortion should be banned entirely? Do you think Iowa should have no restrictions? If you believe there should be some restrictions, please be specific about the restrictions and the exceptions you support.
Sherman: Did not answer. Sherman's website says he thinks abortion is "horrendous" and likens it to murder. He said if abortion is not stopped, this disregard for life will lead to the elimination of anyone who is deemed a hindrance or unuseful to dictatorial powers. Sherman's website says that, when Roe v. Wade is overturned, which it was this year, it will become a state issue and a line will be drawn and we will need strong leadership at the state level.
Wyant: I am pro-choice and believe Iowa needs to. at minimum, maintain access to abortion clinics in the state. If my two daughters should choose to get pregnant and if there are health complications to either them or the fetus, then I want them to have access to an abortion. I also want individuals who may have been sexually abused or raped to have access to abortion if they choose. There should be oversight and a licensed professional for those considering an abortion. I’m not in support of abortion in the last stage of pregnancy if the fetus and parent are healthy.
The Legislature will likely consider a proposal again providing private school scholarships using funding from public schools in the next legislative session. Is this a plan you would support?
Sherman: Did not answer.
Wyant: I am not in support of the private school voucher and there needs to be greater funding to public schools. The public schools are the backbone to any great community and giving money to organizations rather than communities for early education purposes is wrong. Public schools have to accommodate every child regardless of their needs, whereas private schools can limit access, which is something I strongly oppose.
What new laws, if any, do you believe Iowa should pass regarding guns?
Sherman: Did not answer. Sherman's website says he thinks the right to bear arms is a right given by God, not government, but it is the government's job to protect that right.
Wyant: I am not sure if this idea would pass, but I like the idea that any new gun owner should not only take gun shooting lessons but also pass a first aid/first responder class. If you have to take a life, you should also be able to save a life.
George Shillcock is the Press-Citizen's local government and development reporter covering Iowa City and Johnson County. He can be reached at (515) 350-6307, GShillcock@press-citizen.com and on Twitter @ShillcockGeorge
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa House District 91 candidates on abortion, guns, economy
