All seven Democratic candidates running in the third congressional district who hope to face Republican Congressman David Young in 2018 gathered this weekend at a forum in Clarinda. Candidate Pete D’Alessandro, of Des Moines, managed Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign. D’Allessandro says it’s time to amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, to extend broadband access to rural America. “Only about half the people in America even have internet that is considered adequate,” D’Alessandro says. “…It is a New Deal approach to a New Deal type of problem. Who knows better than rural America how that kind of approach can actually make a different and actually work?”

Candidate Theresa Greenfield, of Des Moines, is president of a family-owned real estate firm. She says rural America must be included when federal investments are made in infrastructure, the “green economy” and education. “Working families, they want to make more money,” Greenfield says. “They want a well-paying job for a job well done and we can help with that by investing in education — better skills, better jobs to get their American dream.” Candidate Austin Frerick, of Winterset, is a former U.S. Treasury Department economist. Frerick says it’s time to end monopolies. “I think economic concentration is the issue of our time,” Frerick says. “…The Koch brothers are modern-day ‘robber barons’. I love saying that ’cause everyone’s heads knod because it makes sense. We are living in a second guilded age.”

‘Candidate Eddie Mauro, of Des Moines, is a former teacher and coach who founded an insurance company. Mauro says Democrats need to pick a candidate who appeals to rural voters in the southwest Iowa district with ideas for boosting the bottom line for current and new farmers. “Hearing a lot of great stories and great ideas tonight,” Mauro says, “but none of that makes a difference if we don’t have the right kind of candidate with the right kind of message to beat David Young, who’s been very difficult to beat the last two times out.”

Candidates Cindy Axne; Paul Knupp, Junior; and Heather Ryan also spoke at the Saturday evening forum in Clarinda. Four of the seven Democrats who are running for governor also appeared at the event. The forum was sponsored by Democrats in five southwest Iowa counties.

(Radio Iowa)