(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Republicans hosted a “Know Your Candidates” forum Monday evening, at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. The candidates answered questions with regard to Laws and Regulations, Energy and Labor, and of course, agriculture. Those candidates who spoke included; Senator Jim Carlin – Candidate for U-S Senate; State Senator Zach Nunn, Gary Leffler, and Nicole Hasso, Candidates for U-S House in the 3^rd District.

Nicole Hasso

Senator Jim Carlin

Gary Leffler

Senator Zach Nunn

There were also representatives from Senator Grassley’s office and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.Each candidate gave an opening statement before they fielded questions, including one from Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kauffman, who asked, regardless of who wins the June Primary Election, will each of the candidates support the nominee in the House 3rd District race. The answer was yes. Jim Carlin and Troy Bishop also answered “yes,” if they would support the respective Senate Primary winner.

The next question dealt with packer concentration, anti-trust laws and what can be done to protect animal agriculture. Nicole Hasso said there must be options for meat processing. She mentioned the Cattleman’s Heritage Beef Company, which is constructing a $325 million, 1500-head-per-day, state-of-the-art beef-processing facility in Mills County,

Senator Carlin said the farmer’s voice in agriculture can only be heard when there is an aggressive pursuit of anti-trust legislation

Gary Leffler, from West Des Moines, said he’s the only candidate who owns and operates a farm. He warned the new plant being built in Mills County will be “regulated to death,” by the regulators and bureaucrats.

Senator Zach Nunn suggested, with regard to the rising cost of health insurance, farmers and small business owners should consider pooling their insurance to lower costs.

He says “Let’s get government out of the way and lets let Iowans start choosing for themselves” what their best options are to lower the costs. And, with regard to the topics of energy and labor, each of the candidates were in favor of being more energy independent, by pumping more oil, and opening-up the Keystone Pipeline. Gary Leffler said the Left won’t be happy until “You’re eating a veggie burger and driving electric cars.

As far as labor, Senator Nunn said we have to secure the southern boarder and at the same time expedite the process for bringing in those who want to be here legally.

The next Cass County Republican Forum takes place in May, and primarily focuses on social issues.