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About Me

I was born and raised in the northwest part of the state as a sixth-generation Iowan, and currently live in Sioux Center with my wife and two children. 

After teaching political science in a university setting for over twenty years, I was excited to announce my campaign for State Senate in the 2020 election. 

Currently, my district includes Sioux County, Lyon County, and the northern half of Plymouth County.​  

At the state capitol, I strive to serve my constituents by advocating for common sense, the pursuit of liberty, and constitutional legislation. 

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My Core Values
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Respectful Dialogue

Politics has become very polarized during the past two decades. It's not the fault of any one person or party, but I believe it's possible to be right without being self-righteous. We can disagree without demonizing. When we're talking about something as important as government power, there’s a lot at stake, and we get worked up. That's fine; God created us to have feelings as well as thoughts. But the Bible also says we should be "quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger." Humility is a Christian virtue, pride is not.

 

If we're ignorant or apathetic about politics, it's easy to be civil because we don’t care. If we care deeply and passionately, civility can be hard. However, it's important to try. This isn't about being a mushy-headed compromiser when it comes to morality and ethics. We can stick to our principles and speak the truth even when it brings discomfort. But we should be able to do this without looking like jerks. We should be able to see value in people who hold differing views about politics. I have good friends who are principled progressives and though we disagree on some important issues, we also are able to find common ground. I hope the way I act around them sometimes sheds a positive light on my conservative values. There's a time to preach to the choir; there's a time to build bridges.

When it comes to issues that we care about, substance is essential but style also matters. It can make us more or less effective for the our cause, especially because we are called to treat people with respect and be both honest and loving. It's also simply smart politics. If you want to change people's minds, you have to know where they're coming from. You have to hear the other person, engage their arguments, and try to understand the issue from their perspective. When I'm talking to other I don't agree with, I want to move them in my direction. Personal attacks aren't an effective way to do this. Conservatives, especially Christians, can set a good example in politics while still being strong for social morality and common sense.

The Constitution

I am a strict constructionist, which means when it comes to interpreting the constitution, I take a literal approach. I believe that as a founding document, it should be followed as our foundational law, using its words and historical context as our guide.  

My allegiance to the Constitution is one reason I supported Ron Paul for President in 2008 and 2012. In addition, he has been a Reagan-Buchanan-Liberty conservative since the 1970s, consistently pro-life, and a patriot, not a globalist. Today, Senator Rand Paul continues the conservative legacy of his father in Washington.

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