A GUIDE TO THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES: IOWA

IOWA

Population (1994): 2,829,000 (up 1.9% from 1990), 1.1% of U.S. total

Voting-age population: 2,112,000; 1994 turnout, 47%

Median age: 34 years

Median household income: $33,079 ($815 above U.S. median)

Unemployment: 3.3% (2.3% below U.S. average, March 1996)

Last presidential election: Clinton (D): 43% Bush (R): 37% Perot (I): 19%

Congressional delegation: One Democrat, six Republicans

The celebration of Iowa’s 150th year as a state has been made sweeter by an economic recovery that has given it one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. After its 1980s slump, Iowa lost one of its congressional seats–the five it now claims are the state’s smallest delegation since the 1850s. A politically conservative state, it is perhaps no coincidence that John Wayne was born in Iowa and Ronald Reagan once broadcast from there. And its overwhelmingly Republican delegation in Congress could become more so if Jim Lightfoot can unseat native Hawkeye and lone Democratic Congressman Tom Harkin.

TOM HARKIN (D) JUNIOR SENATOR

BORN: Nov. 19, 1939, Cumming EDUCATION: Iowa State U, B.S., 1962; Catholic U, J.D., 1972 FAMILY: Wife, Ruth; two children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: Navy, 1962-67; Naval Reserve, 1968-74 OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: U.S. House, 1975-84; sought Democratic nomination for President, 1992; U.S. Senate 1985- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 811, Des Moines 50304. Tel.: 515-244-1996

Harkin is the only Democratic member of Congress from Iowa and the only Iowa Democrat ever re-elected to the Senate. But he doesn’t take his incumbency for granted–he left his party’s convention early to campaign in his home state–and in the Senate he’s active on four committees. Having shaken the most radical of his liberal urges, Harkin was a co-author of the first bipartisan welfare-reform bill in Congress. But in a state with the largest percentage of citizens over age 85, and the third largest over 65, he promises to protect Medicare.

THE ISSUES

Budget NO Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare NO National Service YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “The President’s signature does not mark the end of welfare reform, but the beginning.”

JIM LIGHTFOOT (R) SENATE CHALLENGER

BORN: Sept. 27, 1938, Sioux City EDUCATION: U of Iowa; U of Tulsa FAMILY: Wife, Nancy; four children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: Army, 1955-56; Army Reserve, 1956-63 OCCUPATION: Radio broadcaster; store owner; police officer; farmer POLITICAL CAREER: Corsicana, Texas, city commission, 1974-76; U.S. House, 1984- ADDRESS: 2711 Grand Avenue, Des Moines 50312. Tel.: 515-282-9696

Lightfoot won Tom Harkin’s House seat when Harkin decided to run for the Senate; now he’s pursuing a less decorous method of replacing Harkin. Lightfoot would bring a long record of conservative voting with him. He opposed the ban on assault weapons and drafted an amendment to limit firearms recordkeeping. He favors more defense spending and–perhaps because he began life in an orphanage–is staunchly antiabortion.

THE ISSUES

Budget YES Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion NO Guns NO Gays NO Bosnia YES NAFTA YES Welfare NO National Service NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “If we had a confrontation like Desert Storm tomorrow, we probably couldn’t meet it because of the drawdown that’s taken place in the military, not only in people but in budgets, as well.”

JAMES LEACH (R) District 1 (East–Cedar Rapids; Davenport; Iowa City)

BORN: Oct. 15, 1942, Davenport EDUCATION: Princeton U, B.A., 1964; Johns Hopkins U, M.A., 1966 FAMILY: Wife, Elisabeth Foxley-Leach; two children RELIGION: Episcopalian MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Propane-gas-company executive; foreign-service officer POLITICAL CAREER: Republican nominee for U.S. House, 1974; U.S. House, 1976- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1088, Bettendorf 52722. Tel.: 319-344-4829

In his 20 years in the House, Leach has made a name for himself as a savvy moderate who has gained considerable influence as chair of the Banking and Financial Services Committee, from where he directed an energetic pursuit of the Whitewater scandal. After winning his last two elections by a wide margin, Leach makes for a formidable incumbent.

THE ISSUES

Budget YES Medicare YES Defense YES Abortion YES Guns YES Gays NO Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “While the hard work remains ahead, it is crucial that the goal of a balanced budget be advanced, but in such a way as to ensure fairness for all.”

BOB RUSH (D) District 1 (East–Cedar Rapids; Davenport; Iowa City)

BORN: Oct. 30, 1944, Lake Forest, Ill. EDUCATION: Northwestern U, B.A., 1966; U of Iowa, J.D., 1970 FAMILY: Wife, Judith Whetstine; two children RELIGION: Methodist MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: Iowa Senate, 1977-83 ADDRESS: P.O. Box 5875, Cedar Rapids 52406. Tel.: 319-365-3535 If the negatives against the G.O.P. Congress are strong enough, Rush, a former civil-rights lawyer who helped defend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 before the Supreme Court, might have a chance in this race. In fact, in the past two presidential elections, his district voted for Dukakis and Clinton. Unfortunately for Rush, however, his opponent is Jim Leach.

THE ISSUES

Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion NO Guns YES Gays NR Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “I choose to fight for tax fairness and fiscal responsibility, not tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy. For health care for all, not less care at more cost. For campaign-finance reform, not government by special interests.”

JIM NUSSLE (R) District 2 (Northeast–Waterloo; Dubuque)

BORN: June 27, 1960, Des Moines EDUCATION: Luther College, B.A., 1983; Drake U, J.D., 1985 FAMILY: Separated; two children RELIGION: Lutheran MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: Delaware County attorney, 1986-90; U.S. House, 1990- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 324, Manchester 52057. Tel.: 319-927-5230

Jim Nussle’s dramatic gestures could do him in. Not the 1991 House speech he gave with a bag over his head (to make a point about government secrecy), but his “Lead or Leave” pledge to resign if the deficit wasn’t halved by 1996. Voters may be dissuaded from holding his feet to the electoral fire by considering Nussle’s dedication to a balanced budget and lower taxes.

THE ISSUES

Budget YES Medicare YES Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “This is not about numbers, this is about people and families. We can do better. Our [budget] plan helps, because we allow people to earn more. We allow families to earn more, and we allow them to keep more so they can do more.”

DONNA SMITH (D) District 2

BORN: March 24, 1941, Epworth EDUCATION: Loras College, B.A., 1992; U of Iowa, 1994- FAMILY: Husband, Patrick; four children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Real estate broker POLITICAL CAREER: Dubuque County Supervisor, 1979- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1136, Dubuque 52004. Tel.: 319-582-4280

County supervisor Donna Smith went door to door to publicize the Democratic Party’s Families First agenda–promising tax breaks for education and child care and protection for pensions, Medicare, Social Security and veteran’s benefits. Instead of lumbering Iowa farmers with a full load of property and production taxes, Smith, who is endorsed by labor, would raise the fees charged to corporate ranchers for grazing cattle on public land.

THE ISSUES

Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion YES Guns YES Gays NR Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “I will fight to create jobs and preserve the family farm, fight crime for safe neighborhoods, preserve Medicare and Social Security for seniors and protect our environment.”

LEONARD BOSWELL (D) District 3 (South central–Ames; Burlington)

BORN: Jan. 10, 1934, Harrison County, Mo. EDUCATION: Graceland College, B.A., 1969 FAMILY: Wife, Dody; three children RELIGION: Mormon MILITARY: Army, 1956-76 OCCUPATION: Farmer POLITICAL CAREER: Iowa Senate, 1985-; Iowa Democratic Central Committee, 1992- ADDRESS: 1401 North Jefferson, Suite D, Indianola 50125. Tel.: 515-962-0212

In the battle for the seat being left by Republican Jim Lightfoot, Boswell has been endorsed by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, only the second Democratic congressional candidate in this decade to get such an endorsement. But higher office has eluded Boswell–a state Senator for a decade. He ran for the House in 1986 and Lieutenant Governor in 1994–and the federation endorsement may be just the kick he’s needed.

THE ISSUES

Budget NO Medicare NO Defense NO Abortion YES Guns YES Gays NO Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “We are at an important time. Our country must balance its budget–but it must do it with common sense, not extremism.”

MIKE MAHAFFEY (R) District 3

BORN: Aug. 27, 1948, Storm Lake EDUCATION: U of Iowa, B.A., 1970; U of Kansas, J.D., 1975 FAMILY: Wife, Patricia; three children RELIGION: Presbyterian MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: Iowa Republican Central Committee, 1982-89, chairman, 1987-89; Poweshiek County attorney, 1979- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 850, Montezuma 50171. Tel.: 515-623-1996

To counter the blow dealt by the Iowa Farm Bureau, which endorsed his opponent, Mahaffey called for a series of debates to show that he too supports farmers. He believes a smaller government would lower interest rates, which would in turn translate into cheaper houses, cars and equipment for his constituents. He also thinks some things such as education can be handled best on a local level.

THE ISSUES

Budget YES Medicare NR Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “It is a given that I support a balanced budget. Iowans struggle to make ends meet and live within their means. The Federal Government should have to live within a budget like Iowa families must.”

GREG GANSKE (R) District 4 (Southwest–Des Moines; Council Bluffs)

BORN: March 31, 1949, New Hampton EDUCATION: U of Iowa, B.A., 1972, M.D., 1976 FAMILY: Wife, Corrine; three children Religion: Roman Catholic Military: Army Reserve, 1986- OCCUPATION: Reconstructive and plastic surgeon Political career: U.S. House, 1994- ADDRESS: 5907 Grand Avenue, Des Moines 50312. Tel.: 515-279-1994

Ganske’s defeat of 36-year incumbent Neal Smith was one of the great upsets of 1994. The former surgeon wants to take a scalpel to congressional pork and small-business regulations. When it comes to crime, he would rather attack the cancer with punishment than preventive medicine, including a crackdown on deadbeat dads.

THE ISSUES

Budget YES Medicare YES Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NR Gays NR Bosnia YES NAFTA NR Welfare YES Medical Leave NR (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “It takes two people to bring a child into the world, and it takes two people to raise a child in this world. Unfortunately, in too many cases, one parent believes that their responsibility ends when the baby is born.”

CONNIE MCBURNEY (D) District 4

BORN: Jan. 20, 1940, Lacey EDUCATION: U of Iowa, B.A., 1959-63 FAMILY: Husband, Michael Percival RELIGION: Protestant MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Weather reporter; community child advocate; teacher POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: 1020 Walnut Street, Des Moines 50309. Tel.: 515-280-1285

With a focus on educational programs and support of the earned-income tax credit for the working poor, McBurney hopes to become Iowa’s first female representative in the state’s 150-year history. She promises to fight for working families, and says high schools should teach marketable skills to noncollege-bound students. At the same time, she has pursued careers as an educator and television weathercaster, and established Project Mainstreet to provide funding for community-improvement projects.

THE ISSUES

Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion NO Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “The same Congress that urges welfare reform must offer a viable incentive to those it urges to work.”

TOM LATHAM (R) District 5 (Northwest–Sioux City; Fort Dodge)

BORN: July 14, 1948, Hampton EDUCATION: Wartburg College, 1967; Iowa State U, 1967-1970 FAMILY: Wife, Kathy; three children RELIGION: Lutheran MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Seed-company executive POLITICAL CAREER: Franklin County Republican chairman, 1984-91; U.S. House, 1994- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 174, Sioux City 51102. Tel.: 712-233-6125

Latham, who represents a district with more than 18,000 sq. mi. of the nation’s most fertile soil, told voters he would take his rural values to Washington. He calls himself a “progressive conservative”; as a deficit hawk, he was named a Taxpayer’s Hero by the Council for the Citizens Against Government Waste. You can even check the national debt’s growth on Latham’s Website www.house.gov/latham)

THE ISSUES

Budget YES Medicare YES Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NR Gays NR Bosnia NO NAFTA NR Welfare YES Medical Leave NR (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “I came here to change the way that Washington does business. And that means putting the breaks on wasteful Washington spending so that hardworking Iowans can keep more of the money they have earned.”

MACDONALD SMITH (D) District 5

BORN: Feb. 23, 1948, Sioux City EDUCATION: U of Notre Dame, B.A., 1970; U of Iowa, J.D., 1973 FAMILY: Wife, Constance; two children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: Army Reserve, 1968-78 OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: P.O. Box 844, Sioux City 51102. Tel.: 712-258-4815

Smith, a labor attorney, has not been impressed by the G.O.P.’s Contract with America, which he says hurts working-class families. He has seen, he says, bewilderment in the eyes of people who have been thrown out of their jobs into bankruptcy and envisions a trim government that can protect the economic rights of average people against powerful interests and corporations. With the right funding, Smith is convinced he can return the Fifth to the Democratic column.

THE ISSUES

Budget NR Medicare NR Defense NR Abortion NR Guns NR Gays NR Bosnia NR NAFTA NR Welfare NR Medical Leave NR (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)

QUOTE OF NOTE: “Yes, we need to, can and will balance the federal budget. Yes, we owe no less to ourselves and our children. But not at a price that breaks our promises as a society.”