Tom Harkin Stumps for Curt Hanson at Fundraiser in Jefferson County, Iowa

These things often begin with an e-mail exchange, “Another question, do you have enough yellow squash? Our garden is producing way too much for us to use…” Followed by an answer, “Squash – well we don't have yellow (yet). How are you fixed to green (and purple) beans we have over-supply. You might come earlier if you want a garden tour…” It is followed with a visit and an exchange of garden gifts, a tour of the garden and carpooling to an August political fundraiser at the Pony Barn in Jefferson County.

When President Obama appointed Iowa House District 90 Representative John Whitaker to be State Executive Director of the Iowa Farm Service Agency, it opened a seat and resulted in a special election. Former driver education instructor Curt Hanson is the Democratic candidate, and there is a very short time between his announcement on July 17 and the September 1 special election.  The District 90 election is also about the only thing going on in Iowa politics this month and as Senator Bob Dvorsky said last Thursday at the Johnson County Fair, “this election could set the tone for the coming year and the mid-term elections.” Above is a photo of Curt Hanson with Senator Harkin from Curt's campaign web site.

There are a lot of heavyweights already involved in this election. Senator Harkin, who recommended John Whitaker to President Obama for the FSA post, spoke at the fundraiser. Iowa House Speaker Pat Murphy attended, along with a number of elected officials, county party chairs and Democratic activists: all of these folks can be expected to help Hanson. The Iowa Democratic Party sent two full time organizers to open an office in Fairfield. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees contributed $60,000 to the campaign. There is already a fully developed strategy: everyone knows that special elections are about getting out the votes.

The Republicans believe they can pick up the seat held by Whitaker for 15 years, so they are likely devoting resources to the race as well.

Senator Harkin provided an update of the debate over health care reform in Washington. He spoke about the need for Democrats to take the lead, about bi-partisanship and about the difference in approaches between his committee (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) and that of Senator Baucus (Finance), asserting that Health Education, Labor and Pensions, had a more Democratic approach to creating the legislation they moved out of committee last week.

Senator Harkin also discussed what citizens can expect of a Democratically sponsored Health Care Reform bill. He first explained the idea of a health insurance exchange. Participants in the exchange would have to agree to these eight concepts:

 – No discrimination based upon pre-existing conditions.
 – No exorbitant out of pocket expenses in the form of co-pays, deductibles or annual  caps on coverage.
 – Preventive measures, such as mammogram, colonoscopy, pre-diabetic counseling and the like, would be provided at no additional cost.
 – Insurance companies would be prevented from watering down coverage when a person becomes sick.
 – No gender discrimination.
 – No annual or lifetime caps on coverage.
 – Children's coverage would be expanded to enable coverage until age 26 on their parent's policy, whether or not they are in school.
 – Insurance companies would be required to renew a policy, unless a person did not pay their premium.

This discussion deserves broader publication than the group at the pony barn.

During the drive back to Iowa City, the conversation turned to Hanson's prospects and what our county party might be able to do to help. We also talked about mutual friends, web services, Python scripts, Ruby programming language, custom designed central processing units and a life with too many things needing doing.

~Paul Deaton is a native Iowan living in rural Johnson County.  Check out his blog, Big Grove Garden.    E-mail Paul Deaton

*Note from BFIA: All registered voters living in District 90 are eligible to vote in the special election.
VOTER PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  Friday, August 21 – 5 p.m.
DEADLINE TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT BY MAIL:  Friday, August 28 – 5 p.m.
DO YOU LIVE IN DISTRICT 90?  The district covers portions of Wapello, Jefferson and Van Buren Counties.  Check the map and tell your friends about the special election.  For more voting information, go to:  Iowa Secretary of State.  To volunteer or contribute to Curt's campaign, go to IowaDemocrats.org