Jeff Taylor for State Senate

Republican Primary - June 2, 2020

Born and raised in Northwest Iowa, I would like to represent you in Des Moines. 

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District 2 is Sioux County, O'Brien County, Cherokee County, and the eastern portion of Plymouth County.

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*   A Constitutional Conservative   *

Jeff Taylor:

  Sixth-generation Iowan

  Resident of Sioux Center

  Husband of Shirley

  Father of Jane and David

Professor of Political Science at Dordt University

Graduate of Northwestern College

Christian

Pro-Life

Political analyst for KCAU-TV

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About

● Fiscal and social conservative activist in GOP for over 40 years

● Junior delegate to 1976 Iowa Republican State Convention

       for Gov. Ronald Reagan

● Worked on original statewide, GOP primary campaigns of Roger Jepsen (1978), Terry Branstad (1978), and Chuck Grassley (1980)

● Reagan for President coordinator at Northwestern College (1980)

● Founding member of Christian Coalition (1989)

● 3x supporter of Pat Buchanan for GOP presidential nomination (1990s)

● Participated in local GOP caucuses in MO (1996) and MN (2008)

● Founding subscriber of The American Conservative (2002)

● Voted for conservatives in GOP primary in AL (2010)

● Delegate to 2012, 2014, and 2016 Iowa Republican State Conventions

● Delegate to 2012 Republican National Convention

​● Keynote speaker at Constitution Day seminar for Ames area homeschoolers (2014)

● Co-organizer of 2016 Sioux Center Republican caucus

● Past member of Sioux County Republican Central Committee

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Key Values

 Decentralism – state and local authority, adherence to the Constitution, ruralist point of view

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 Morality – promotion of Godly values, including protection of unborn babies

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 Freedom – limited government for individual decision-making, free enterprise, and civil liberties (including Second Amendment)

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 Community – "equal rights for all; special privileges for none" (Thomas Jefferson), impartial justice not identity politics

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 Grassroots – trust the people, while protecting God given rights, within the framework of a republic

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 Common Sense – rejection of political correctness and trendy nonsense

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photo: Talking about the Tenth Amendment at Sioux County Conservatives meeting, February 2018.

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I met Donald Trump backstage, before he spoke at a campaign rally on Dordt's campus, on January 23, 2016.  I took the initial call, from Tammy Kobza, that led to Trump's appearance and I co-organized the event.  I gave a speech of introduction, although it was not the speech I had hoped to give. The speech I wrote placed Trump in context and also addressed his supporters.

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August 2012 - Meeting Phyllis Schlafly, a political heroine of mine, at the Republican National Convention. She was a Missouri delegate; I was an Iowa delegate.  Schlafly was the First Lady of American Conservatism.  Such a distinguished pedigree of involvement in GOP politics, including Taft '52, Goldwater '64, Reagan '76 and '80, Buchanan '96, Santorum '12, and Trump '16.  She was smart, knowledgeable, and had good instincts. It was an honor to meet her.

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When I was young, my political heroes included Gov. Ronald Reagan, Col. Bud Day, Iowa Attorney General Dick Turner, and Congressman Chuck Grassley. I have their pictures up in my Dordt office as a tribute to them. Of these four great conservatives, only Grassley is still with us.

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February 1, 2016 - Night of the Iowa presidential caucuses. This was my first appearance on KCAU as a political analyst.  I'm grateful for opportunities to comment on television and radio.

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Politics and Respectful Dialogue

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Politics has become very polarized during the past two decades. It's not the fault of any one person or party. We can 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. It gets us worked up. That's fine. God created us to have feelings as well as thoughts. But the Bible 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. But we have to try. This isn't about being a mealy-mouthed, 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. We disagree on some important issues but we also have some agreement. 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.

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When it comes to issues that we care about, substance is essential but style also matters because it can make us more or less effective for the conservative cause.  Treating people with respect and being both honest and loving is what we are called to do. It’s also 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, understand and engage their arguments, and find at least a little common ground. When I’m talking to people I don’t agree with, I want to move them in my direction. Personal attacks aren't a good way to do this. Conservatives, especially Christians, can set a good example in politics while still being strong for social morality and common sense.

November 8, 2016 - Election Night on KCAU.

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Election Night coverage.  I was in the Channel 9 studio with Tim and Jenna.  Off air, when asked for my prediction before the returns started coming in, I said that I thought Trump might win. Part hope, part analysis. People laughed because the odds overwhelmingly favored Clinton.

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Against almost all expectations, Trump won the election, although it wouldn't be called until the middle of the night.  I watched the announcement by shocked and disappointed network anchors, and watched Trump's victory speech, from my motel room in Sioux City.  I got little sleep that night, since I needed to be back on the air at 5:00 am.  I was tired but happy the morning after.  Congressman Steve King was reelected and Skyler Wheeler was first elected to the Iowa House.

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November 10, 2016 - Back to Sioux City to tape a segment about the presidential election for airing on Sunday.

September 2019 - Posing with Randy Feenstra at the Republican booth at the Clay County Fair.  Spencer is my hometown. 

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September 2014 - Speaking at a U.S. Constitution seminar for Ames area homeschoolers.  State Representative (soon-to-be Senator) Jason Schultz was one of the other speakers. 

When it comes to the Constitution, I'm a strict constructionist.  This means I interpret it literally and want it to 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.  Three other reasons: he has been a Reagan-Buchanan-Liberty conservative since the 1970s, he is consistently pro-life, and he is a patriot (not a globalist). A champion of the Liberty and Tea Party movements, Sen. Rand Paul continues the conservative legacy of his father in Washington.

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