NIT – Former Hampton Mayor Shawn Dietz took a moment to answer some questions about his campaign for the Iowa Senate seat for District 27. Mr. Dietz is running as a Republican. His opponent in the June 3 primary is Timothy Junker of Allison. The winner will face incumbent Democrat Amanda Ragan in the November election.
Q: You were mayor in Hampton for 2 years. How will that experience help you in office in Des Moines?
My experience as Mayor gave me an opportunity to work outside of my comfort zone a little bit, expand my horizons beyond political philosophy, and understand the process of governing. In my work on the Iowa League of Cities Legislative Policy Committee, I was able to look deeper into the statewide legislative process, and was able to build relationships that I feel will be helpful to advancing a platform of local decision making that I feel will benefit North Iowa tremendously. Three areas in particular where I feel more local control is desperately needed are education, transportation, and reducing the influence of the EPA within the state.
Q: What is your favorite part about elected office? What is the toughest part?
Without a doubt, interacting with the public was my favorite aspect of my elected position. I would hold weekly “coffees” at City Hall and invite anyone with a question, comment, or concern to sit with me so we could talk about it as neighbors. I’ve always felt that citizens need to be able to address concerns, voice opinions, and ask questions in a way that is not intimidating. As for the toughest part, for me it’s the time that I spend away from my family. It’s definitely a sacrifice, but I also want to take advantage of the opportunity to set the example for my children that we have the ability to get involved and have a voice in government at various levels. I want them to grow up knowing that their dad served the public, and I also want them to realize that our Constitution is what guarantees them the ability to be as involved as they would like. I take full responsibility for the civic education of my children, as such I want them to learn the proper roles of the various levels of government.
Q: What is an average day for Shawn Dietz like?
Outside of politics and campaigning, my day is pretty normal. My wife leaves for work, I get our three kids ready for their day at school and daycare, then I head to my job where I work as the program director for two radio stations and a website located in Hampton, and I when I’m not campaigning heavily, I deliver pizzas one night a week. I feel very blessed to live the life I do. I haven’t achieved what some would call material success or wealth, but I have a family that loves me and supports my efforts to restore the Constitutional ideals and spread the message of Liberty, and I enjoy what I do for a living to support that family. When the glass factory I worked for closed, we went through some tough times as a family. My wife and I made some tough decisions, but I feel like we’ve been better off as we have come out of that time.
Q: Describe your political ideology.
I try to avoid boxing myself into labels because I’m able to find agreement on some level with various ideologies, but I am a registered Republican because I believe in a Republican form of government as prescribed by the U.S. Constitution. Most often I have been classified as a Conservative/Libertarian-leaning Republican. Much of my interest involves finding a way for each level of government to work within their proper roles, and that includes increasing the level of responsibility for individuals and community support. I’m asked frequently, “what is the proper role of government?” My response depends on the level of government. The U.S. Constitution, and State Constitutions, respectively lay out the proper roles for the Federal and State Governments. Local governments, in the courthouses and city halls all across the country, is where the People can honestly have a dramatic impact if that is where they choose to apply their power. The struggle that we face as Republicans is something that U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) addressed when I heard him speak in Iowa last year; we have done a fine job of illustrating things that we don’t like about our current government, and individuals and special interests who represent those things, but we must now lay out our vision for the type of society for which we can say “yes”. We have to be able to make proposals, work through details, and from time-to-time, enthusiastically say YES.
Q: What are the main differences between yourself and your possible Democratic opponent?
I think one of the most stark differences between myself and my opponent is my “no exceptions” stance on life beginning at conception. I will vote my own conscience and represent my district. I am not involved in politics to fall in line with any personalities or be part of any crowd. I will always stand on principles of defending life, and limited government interference.
Q: Anything you would do differently this past legislative session that perhaps the incumbent did not do?
I would have encouraged a change in Senate majority leadership. In 2010, Iowans sent a clear message that they wanted a more conservative state government, with Republicans picking up the Governor, 14 seats in the House, and 5 seats in the Senate. Since that time, the current Senate Majority Leader has unilaterally decided to stop proposals that would save thousands of unborn lives, he has halted progress on House leadership’s flat tax proposal that would cause a ripple effect of economic growth for our State, and he has used the slim Senate majority to dictate what legislation lives and which legislation dies as lawmakers approach funnel deadlines because if Senator Gronstal won’t bring forth a vote in the Senate, that impedes the bill’s progress elsewhere. It’s clear to me that the only way to replace him as Majority Leader, is to make him the Minority Leader.
