(Radio Iowa) – The Democrat running against Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra in Iowa’s fourth congressional district says rank-and-file voters in the district have massive public health concerns that aren’t being addressed. Iowa is the only state where cancer rates are increasing and Ryan Melton says Iowans want answers.

Melton cites Palo Alto County, which has a cancer rate 50 percent higher than the national average. There’s just one other county in the country that has a higher incidence of cancer among its residents. Melton says more robust action is needed to encourage farmers to reduce the amount of fertilizer that winds up in Iowa waterways.

Melton says policymakers should explore limiting the amount of nitrogen applied to farm fields.

Melton says the added cost of treating drinking water to reduce contaminants and the sheer number of “swimming not advised” warnings this summer at state owned parks are concerning to Iowans, regardless of party.

Ryan Melton, the Democratic Party’s nominee in Iowa’s fourth congressional district, on the “Iowa Press” set on Oct. 4, 2024. (Iowa PBS photo)

And Melton says there need to be increased protections for public health and water due to the increase in large-scale hog operations in Iowa.

Melton made his comments during today’s (Friday’s) taping of “Iowa Press” which airs tonight on Iowa P-B-S. Congressman Feenstra did not accept the invitation from Iowa P-B-S to debate Melton before this year’s election. Melton is running against Feenstra for a second time. Melton works for a major insurance company. Melton and his family recently moved from Nevada (nuh-VAY-duh) to Webster City.