Candidates for Iowa Senate District 28

This week the Leader highlights the race for the Iowa Senate District 28.

Republican Dennis Guth of Klemme seeks re-election to a fourth term of office. His opponent on the Democratic ticket is Cynthia Paschen of Jewell.

Iowa Senate District 28 includes all of Hancock, Wright, Humboldt, Franklin and Hamilton Counties, and Lafayette and Howard Townships in Story County.

To better acquaint voters with their views ahead of the Nov. 5 General Election, The Leader sent both candidates a series of questions to answer. Here are their responses:

Dennis Guth

Dennis Guth farms in the rural Klemme area. He was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2012 and began his first term in 2013. Guth serves on the Senate Appropriations, Health and Human Service, Local Government and Workforce committees. He was Vice Chair of the Administration and Regulation Appropriations subcommittee and on the Human Rights Board.

1. Why are you running for reelection to the Iowa Senate, District 28?

I have enjoyed serving the people of North Iowa for the last 12 years and feel there is unfinished business that I should work on. 

A big part of that is stopping the use of eminent domain for the sole purpose of profit for a private company. Eminent domain must be reserved for projects that benefit Iowans.

2. What insights or abilities will you bring to the 2025 Iowa Legislature, if elected?

I have 12 years of experience and know who to work with to get things done.  I also have many connections with constituents across my district. I have a good sense of what they want.

3. What do you see as key pieces of legislation by the Iowa Senate in 2024? Were you satisfied overall with the outcome of the 2024 Legislative session? Why or why not?

The biggest win for Iowans in 2024 was the passage of the Iowa Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RAFA). I worked on this for seven and a half years and it pleases me to see it signed into law. This September it was used by a Cedar Rapids Church that was challenged about their tax deductible status because of speaking out for Biblical values in the community. The judge dismissed the case because of RFRA.

I was disappointed that we did not place guardrails on the use of eminent domain.

4. What are issues/priorities facing Iowa and Senate District 28 that you would like to have addressed when the Legislature convenes in January?

Limits on eminent domain and making gold legal tender in Iowa so we can buy gold as an inflation hedge and not be hit with capital gains tax.

5. Other comments:

I believe that capitalism, guided by Christian ethics, is the best economic system in the world.  I believe that socialism seeks to take the unequal sharing of blessings and exchange it for the equal sharing of misery.

Cynthia Paschen

Cynthia Paschen of Jewell is a journalist for the Webster City Daily Freeman-Journal. She has also served as a volunteer at Mary Greeley Hospital from 1998-2022.

1. Why are you running for election to the Iowa Senate, District 28? 

I'm ready to get to work to fully fund our public schools and Area Education Associations (AEAs).

2. What insights or abilities will you bring to the 2025 Iowa Legislature, if elected? 

I am able to speak with those who think differently from me, to listen and treat folks with respect.

3. What do you see as key pieces of legislation by the Iowa House in 2024? Were you satisfied overall with the outcome of the 2024 Legislative session? Why or why not? 

The most destructive legislation underfunded our public schools, cut the AEAs and created vouchers for private schools with no oversight. These have had devastating impacts in rural Iowa. Public dollars belong in public schools.

4. What are issues/priorities facing Iowa and Senate District 28 that you would like to have addressed when the Legislature convenes in January?

Make public schools a priority, and stop the proposed Summit carbon pipeline.

5. Other comments: 

Iowa is already dead last in the US in OB/GYN physicians per capita. Iowa's six-week abortion ban impacts our ability to recruit healthcare providers and delays emergency medical care. Maternal and infant mortality will suffer. Iowans deserve privacy in their medical decisions.