Recap: A Three-Way Republican Primary in Iowa Senate District 1

Republicans in Iowa Senate District 1 will have to make a choice between three candidates (Zach Whiting, Brad Price, and Jesse Wolfe) on June 5th to determine who will challenge State Senator David Johnson (I-Ocheydan). (Update: Johnson announced he is not running for reelection.)  I’ve had the opportunity to interview all three candidates and wanted to provide those interviews and some additional information in one post.

I’m highlighting each candidate in the order they appeared on The Caffeinated Thoughts Podcast. I also want to make it abundantly clear: I am merely sharing information. I am not a voter in the district (I’m registered no party so I’m not even voting on June 5th), and I am not making any endorsements in this primary or any other.

Zach Whiting

Whiting is a Spirit Lake native, Republican activist, and an attorney who works as a policy advisor for Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa). Whiting was on the podcast on April 10. You can listen to his full podcast below:

Whiting also includes an extensive policy issue page on his website that I would encourage you to check out to learn more.

Brad Price

Price is a businessman from Spirit Lake who joined me fof the podcast published on April 24th. Take time to listen to the full podcast below:

Price and I had a conversation about the life issue that has become controversial. I have learned that some in his district have been told that I refused to include his retraction of his remarks. That is untrue, he never offered a retraction. We never had that conversation. I did not edit any of his remarks. I always include the entire conversation I have with guests unedited.

Price says he is pro-life. I want to include just the excerpt where we discuss the life issue including the transcript. Did he mispeak? It’s possible, but I will leave it for you to decide.

Here’s the transcript:

Me: There is another thing that has been under debate and that is the heartbeat abortion ban bill that is currently stuck in the Iowa House. What kind of pro-life legislation would you support?

Brad: I am pro-abortion so um… I believe that conception… um… I guess the only issue in my mind is when the mother is the fact of in a birthing situation and the doctor has to make a call for life its a fine line, I understand that, but I still think that doctor should have the right to make that decision.

Me: Ok, ok, all right. Are you against defunding Planned Parenthood and abortion providers of taxpayer funding?

Brad: I am.

Me: Thank you for your honesty, I appreciate that.

Price also offers a policy page on his website which I also encourage you to read.

Update: Price contacted us to clarify his position on life. Listen to a bonus episode of the podcast below:

 

Jesse Wolfe

Wolfe is a businessman and resident of Emmetsburg who has been the chair of the Palo Alto County Republican Party since 2012.  My interview with him for the podcast was published on May 8th. You can listen to it below:

Wolfe unfortunately does not include a policy/issues page on his website.