For over a dozen election cycles the Board of Directors of Iowa Right to Life Committee has evaluated the responses to our survey of candidates for state and federal offices on right to life related issues. It is a very serious undertaking and we strive for objectivity. We publish the results of our evaluations as a service to our membership.
Our criteria for evaluation for the primary election this Tuesday, June 5, includes not only responses to the survey but news reports, interviews by us or others, voting history if an incumbent, consistency of the candidate within these aspects and an analysis of their legislative and political prospects in light of our legislative priorities. It is imperative that there be an understanding of the dignity and worth of each human life, whatever his or her state of circumstances before and after birth. Certainly the courtesy of returning a response to this survey on behalf of Pro-Life constituents is of paramount importance.
For purposes of succinctness we have listed the candidates we find sufficiently meet our judgment criteria reflecting ability, sincerity and responsiveness in support of our Pro-Life legislative priorities.
Readers should also be aware that we have specific legislative goals and priorities that are determined by legislative and political experience and with reference to legal scholarship by the best the pro-life movement has to offer. A candidate who says they oppose abortion in all circumstances and pretends that is sufficient as a legislative approach given the realities of abortion on demand imposed on the states as a result of the Roe v. Wade decision or accuses an opponent of insincerity for supporting measures consistent with our experienced goals and priorities at best we believe would be an ineffective legislator.
We believe our readers will find this information crucial to evaluating the candidates for the Iowa primary election Tuesday, June 5. After the primary we will evaluate candidates for the general election, resurveying as necessary.
Candidates Iowa Right to Life Believes Best Meet Evaluation Criteria:
U.S. House 01: Ben Lange
State Senate:
04: James Black
06: Mark Segebart
08: Col. Al Ringgenberg
14: Steven Everly AND Stephanie Jones AND Amy Sinclair
22: Jeff Mullen
36: Jane Jech
42: Lee Harder AND Larry Kruse
Iowa House:
01: Kevin Wolfswinkel
02: Josh Davenport AND Megan Hess
06: Ron Jorgensen AND Matthew Ung
07: Tedd Gassman
08: Bob Dishman AND Henry Rayhorns
10: Maison Bleam
22: Greg Forristall
23: Mark Costello
24: Cecil Dolecheck AND Jane Jensen
25: Julian Garrett AND Joan Acela
26: Steve McCoy AND Ruth Randleman
27: Joel Fry
28: Len Gosselink AND Greg Heartsill
30: Jim Carley
34: Patti Branco
37: Matt DeVries AND John Landon AND Jim Robidoux AND Jeffrey White
38: Kevin Koester
39: Erik Helland
50: Pat Grassley AND Annette Sweeney
55: Marshall Nessa
59: Howard Lyon
76: Larry Wilson
81: Blake Smith