Where Kevin Kinney and Dawn Driscoll stand on key issues in the Iowa Senate District 46 race

Two incumbent state senators, Kevin Kinney (D-Oxford) and Dawn Driscoll (R-Williamsburg), are running against one another to represent the redrawn District 46 covering parts of Johnson County and all of Washington and Iowa counties.

Kinney, a farmer and retired Johnson County Sheriff's deputy, entered the Iowa Legislature in 2015 and currently represents Johnson, Washington and Keokuk counties.

Driscoll is a farmer from Iowa County who entered the Legislature in 2021. Her current district represents all of Iowa, Benton and Powieshiek counties.

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.

There was a voter forum held for Senate District 46 in early October, but Driscoll did not show up, citing a scheduling conflict.

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 Dawn Driscoll?

Age: 43

Party: Republican

Where did you grow up? (did not answer)

Current town of residence: Rural Iowa County

Education: Bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Western Illinois University

Occupation: Farmer

Political experience and civic activities: Member of the Iowa Senate since 2021, representing District 38. According to her political website, Driscoll serves on several committees and subcommittees, including the Natural Resources and Environment Committee, where she is vice chair; and the committees on agriculture, labor and business relations; local government; and transportation. Driscoll is also a past president of the Iowa County Farm Bureau; was chairperson of the Ag in the Classroom program in schools and nursing homes; coached volleyball and basketball; and was a religious education teacher, 4-H community leader, and a preschool board president.

Who is Kevin Kinney?

Age: 59

Party: Democrat

Where did you grow up? Oxford

Current town of residence: Oxford

Education: Attended Kirkwood Community College. Left school to help family with the farm.

Occupation: Farmer and retired Johnson County Sheriff Office deputy

Political experience and civic activities: Nine years on the Clear Creek Amana School Board. Eight years as state senator. Currently serves as the ranking member on both the Agriculture and Judiciary committees. Active member of Farm Bureau, Knights of Columbus and the Johnson County Cattlemen’s Association.

What would be your top issue should you be elected?

Driscoll: The biggest concern I hear going to door to door is the record-high inflation Iowans are experiencing. The rising costs of everything are affecting all aspects of the family budget, farming and small businesses, making every day more difficult. In the Iowa Senate, I’ll continue to support policies to combat inflation, support Iowa’s hard-working families, and bring relief to Iowans across the state.

Kinney: Extending the civil statute of limitations for sexual abuse survivors.

Iowans are struggling with rising costs and inflation. What can the state do to help them make ends meet?

Driscoll: The rising costs Iowans are struggling with are consequences of reckless spending policies in Washington, D.C. What we can do in Iowa is continue passing responsible, sustainable budgets and implement tax relief for Iowa’s families. I was proud to support historic income tax relief this year, and it was announced recently the state ended the year with a record budget surplus. It is clear evidence that the policies we’ve been putting into place are putting the state in a strong fiscal position, and will provide some relief for Iowans and their own budgets.

Kinney: We need to create more good-paying jobs and economic opportunity throughout Iowa but especially in rural communities. Iowa can't be successful if our rural towns aren't thriving. The state should also do much more to assist with child care for working families. Having dependable access to child care unlocks a wide range of employment opportunities that wouldn't be available without it.

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.

Driscoll: I believe life should be protected and all have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I support Gov. Kim Reynolds' effort to have the courts review the Heartbeat bill from 2018. Life is a critical issue, and before we move forward and consider more legislation, we should see how this issue is decided before the court.

Kinney: I am where the majority of Americans are on this issue. We must protect the health and safety of the mother while also providing exceptions for cases of rape, sexual assault and incest. As a member of law enforcement, I sat with 12- and 13-year-old girls that grappled with this tragic circumstance. It was heartbreaking. I have no interest in re-victimizing these survivors. It should be their choice on how to proceed.

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?

Driscoll: This issue has gotten a lot of attention over the last several years, especially after the pandemic. My children attend public schools and we have been deeply involved in Williamsburg schools. We need solutions to the problems Iowa students are facing, and sometimes parents need more options than what they are being given. Last session's bill included more than $22 million specifically for rural schools, a parents' bill of rights, and other critical reforms to improve our schools. I am focused on our students and parents, how we can improve outcomes for them and prepare them to be successful. 

Kinney: No. I will not support any plan that takes public dollars and uses them for private school vouchers. As a parent, a former school board member, and now as a state senator I've always believed that strong public schools level the playing field for all students. These schools are the lifeblood of small towns throughout Iowa and help keep our communities vibrant. That's why I'll never go back on my pledge to oppose any attempt to undermine public education.

What new laws, if any, do you believe Iowa should pass regarding guns?

Driscoll: This November, there is an important constitutional amendment on the ballot. This proposal would help protect our Second Amendment rights as guaranteed to us in the United State Constitution and put them in the Iowa Constitution. It would also add additional measures to help protect it from any infringement by judges trying to legislate from the bench. Supporting this constitutional amendment is the most important policy right now in Iowa to protect our Second Amendment rights.

Kinney: I believe in the U.S. Constitution and the right for Americans to bear arms. The language in our Constitution is the same language we should be following at the state level. The U.S. Constitution has provided ample protection for our citizens for nearly 250 years. I do believe that to be able to carry a concealed handgun individuals should have to show proficiency and knowledge in how that weapon works.

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: Where Iowa Senate District 46 candidates stand on key issues