糖心vlog's Election Guide: Randy Feenstra
Welcome back. State Senator Randy Finestra is making a run for Congress in June. The Republican ousted long term Congressman Steve King. Cases? Yes. Cynthia Voter spoke to feature about why he's running. So for those who don't know a lot about you, they probably heard your name but may not know who you are. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Yeah. So I was born and raised in Iowa and Northwest Corner, viable, called a little town called Hall and been married to my wife for 28 years. Lynette and we have four wonderful Children. We have three there in college right now. And one That's an eighth grader. Uh, I went Teoh, a local college door university where I am currently a professor of business and economics there and got my master's degree at Iowa State University. For the many years I worked balls in the private and public sector in the private sector, I was head of sales of a large candy company, the maker of black forest gummy bears. And then I was a city administrator of Hall or County Treasure. And I've served the last 12 years in the Iowa Senate. I've also been a quantity in for many years and volunteer e, M T. And Sunday school teacher. I've done a lot. It's all about helping and making a difference in society. If elected to Congress coming out of covert, there will be a number of challenges Right now. The House Democrats are putting forth another stimulus package, Um, which has been at a stalemate for a while now. What would you like to see in in that package? The more stimulus checks for individuals and businesses? I think we have to look at the backbone of rural America riel, Iowa, and that is our agricultural community, our egg producers. Our farmers are really struggling right now. The commodity prices are really low when it comes to cattle and hogs and corn and soybeans. And I think we have to have some indemnity that we've got to help them out. You have to think about that that the Iowa in the fourth District were the breadbasket to world, and that is a security risk if we start seeing the farming community go bankrupt and seeing all the community of the farming community under stress financially. So that's where if we go down another path of co vid, uh, financial benefits. I think they should help agricultural community. What? What do you think about the There was another $1200 in there for individuals. I think we would be very careful. Right now. We have $26.8 trillion in debt and that is not sustainable. I really would start worrying being an economics that scares me a lot. You talk about one of the biggest issues that we're gonna face now in the next couple of years is trying to manage that debt and whether it be inflation are interest rates. I think we have to be very cognizant of of where we're at on our debt and start looking at ways to create balanced budgets like we did in the in in Iowa over last year's. So handing out checks and and having like, a $2 trillion plan, Uh, if you were there, you'd be looking at that very closely. Exactly. I'd be very fearful when it happened in March. We had to make sure that we had to stimulate our economy because at that time, you know, everything was closed down. Now it's just a matter of getting people to work, and we have to keep the balance of keeping people healthy and well. But we also have to make sure that we start opening up our economy in a way that we could do it safely. But getting people back to work. I think that's the best thing we can dio as government policy makers. And one of the goals that you have had in the state House, um, is cutting taxes, and you wrote one of the largest income tax reduction bills ever in state history. Tell us about that. Yeah, So when you start thinking about main streets and families and the farming community and businesses, you know the more money you can put in somebody's pocket that grows your economy, that stimulates the economy. You know, way just talked about giving people $1200. Well, the same thing works when you have them pay less taxes because they have more money to do things with. And that's why you could look at Iowa. Our economy has really been growing and flourishing, and that's what we need to do all over the country. But it also goes with that We also had a 99% spending limit that we didn't spend more than we took in. So they go together that you you have to lower taxes. But you also can't overspend and create a significant deficit. So those two things are part of the things that I would wanna work on when I get to Congress. And you mentioned the economy also at the top of your list. Um, the USDA is giving out $14 billion in aid again, I saw, um Do you support that then for farmers? Yeah, I dio. And you just think about 2020. And the farming community. We first had extreme trade issues with commodity prices. Uh, then we obviously had covert hit in March. Then we had the duration will hit. Then we had the drought, and all these things are just compiling on each other and my family and my in laws and my family and I work on the family farm, my in law's farm, and we understand how serious serious this is. And, you know, we want to make sure that the farming community is sustainable and we have to protect them as much as possible. And you think about it. A farm. The farming community successful, that Main Street is successful. Main Street is successful that the school, the hospital, the church, everything is successful. So it really is all predicated on making sure that our farming community eyes is being profitable on being successful. Next, on a close up, Senator Finnstrom tells us what needs toe happen to help? I would get affordable health care. I only need someone fighting for us things. Welcome back. We wrap up our conversation with state Senator Randy Finestra as he looks to move from the state capital to the nation's capital. Turning to health care the A c A. The Supreme Court will be taking that probably after the election. We're hearing there are so many challenges in the health care system. Now, what would you like to see? Change. You're exactly right. I saw this. I was working in the insurance area when I was 10 years ago, when the a c A. When Obamacare came up and it was devastating, and I still see it today where premiums double, you know, talking to a family or business, saying your premiums were going from 1000 to 2000. It just it didn't work. And so the one thing I know we cannot have government takeover of health care. It's just not it will not work. It actually really scares me. I mean, the Democrats are looking at that plan, and, you know, that would threaten probably 40 or more hospitals in our in our state. And obviously it probably drive up prices even more than what it ISS. So I believe that we need free market solutions that we need to create increase competition. We have to make sure that we can purchase insurance across state lines. We must have transparency throughout our health care system when it comes to prices, especially drug prices, you know? And I was saying that this is what we did. We created policies and programs that people could use to lower the cost of their premiums and to try to create more transparency in our state. And that's what we need to do in Congress. And one big issue right now, Senator and the presidential campaign has become law and order talk of defunding the police or police reform criminal justice reform. Where do your thoughts on that? Yeah, well, we did a great job in the Iowa Legislature. I mean, we saw early on in March late, uh, mid march. Uh, I should say in June that we create a bill to make sure that if there are bad actors that we could take care of that, that we could create more training. Andi, these are things that probably need to be done at the federal level. But also, it's just understanding that that we're all Americans were collectively together in this. Uh, it doesn't matter what our title is. It doesn't matter. You know who we are. We're all together, and we have to have unity. And, you know, I stand And I'm so supportive of those in blue men and women that air trying to protect and serve our country. Uh, you know, they're very important. They're very vital to making sure that we stay safe in our communities and and and protect us from from those that want to do wrong. The the ratio that we had the wildfires out west also highlighting the issue of climate change. How do we address that? There's a lot of talk about getting farmers more involved. I'm just impressed. Just being on the farm and being so tight in today or cultural community. I just want to tell you I am so impressed with our farming community is doing with, uh, secondary crops with terracing and you know, just doing so many things to be proactive when it comes to helping our environment and helping our soils. And that's what we need. And we need need, need, continue voluntary programs. I just want to say most all farmers, they want to do what's right. They want to do what's best for for environment. And I'm just excited to see that happening that they're taking it on themselves and saying, All right, what else can I dio? You know, how can I plant that next cover cop? How can I do, um, or terracing? So, you know, I I think we need to continue to work with the conservation programs in each county, going down the past that continue to help our environment. And finally, you've spent quite a few years up at the State Capitol. Why do you wanna move on to the nation's capital right now? I'm really proud of what we did in the Iowa Legislature. I mean, we did so many great things when it comes to lowering taxes. Um, you know, just working to defend farm families in rural main streets. You know, we balanced the budget every year, which desperately needs toe happen. Uh, in Congress, we protected life. We protected the Second Amendment, and this is what I want to do. This is what I wanna do in Congress, that I wanna listen to those in Iowa in the fourth District and be their voice and deliver results for them. You know, when I was little, I delivered the papers, and now I want to deliver results for the Fourth District and truly have a voice on the agricultural Committee and other committees that we could make a difference for Iowa. So I tell you, if anybody has questions, you know they could go to my website that feaster for congress dot com, a k c. C. I is teaming up with the Des Moines Register to host two important debates this week. Tomorrow you can hear from Congresswoman's in the accident and Republican challenger David Young they're fighting for I was third Congressional District. That debate is set for 7 p.m. Then On Thursday at 6 30 we will host a Senate debate between incumbent Republican Joni Ernst and Democrat challenger Theresa Greenfield. You can watch both debates live right here on K C. C. I Thank you so much for joining us for cases. Guy eight News. Close up. We will see you back here next Sunday.
Randy Feenstra won the Republican nomination for Iowa's 4th District in June. He will take the ballot against (D) J.D. Scholten. Each Iowa candidate on November's ballot was given the same list of questions to answer. To view all of the candidates, click here. Here are Feenstra's responses:What is your top priority if elected into office? My first priority will be to secure a spot on the House Agriculture Committee, where I鈥檒l be poised to deliver meaningful results for farmers and establish a foothold in Congress from which we can take action to protect life and address our national debt. What previous experience has prepared you for this position? I learned the value of hard work as a kid, and I鈥檝e carried that lesson with me throughout my life as I鈥檝e collected experiences that have readied me to take on the challenges I鈥檒l face in Congress. My background in finance has provided me the understanding I鈥檒l need to address our national debt, my time working on my in-laws' farm has made me attuned to the needs of farmers, and serving as a Sunday school teacher has strengthened my conviction that life is sacred and needs protected. Most importantly though, I鈥檝e learned how to deliver 鈥 whether that鈥檚 delivering papers in Hull, Iowa, as a kid, or delivering results in the Iowa Senate. What has been your favorite quarantine activity? Simply spending some more time with the family. I wish the circumstances had been better, but it was fantastic having the kids back from school. Whether it鈥檚 getting out for a run together, playing some pickup basketball, or just spending time talking, I was very fortunate to have had family around during quarantine. What part of your response to the COVID-19 pandemic are you most proud of? From the beginning, our campaign has been about delivering results, but when COVID hit, it became about delivering for our neighbors. I鈥檓 so proud of our campaign team and how we were able to turn the entire apparatus into a relief operation, delivering whatever we could wherever it was needed 鈥 diapers, pet food, you name it. We were able to bring people together to help out in any way possible, and that鈥檚 something I鈥檒l never forget. What response to the COVID-19 pandemic would you change? If I had my way, we would have done more for farmers. With packing plants shutting down operations across the country, many farmers were forced to take on more significant expenses, and for big and small farms alike, that proved to be tough. We saw widespread government aid in the spring, but with agriculture being so central to Iowa鈥檚 economy, I think greater support for farmers was necessary. What is your favorite Iowa tradition? Definitely the CyHawk football game. It鈥檚 such an excellent chance for the state to come together and appreciate a rivalry between two fantastic Iowa schools. How do you define social inequity and how do you plan on address it in Iowa communities? Social inequity is the result of exclusion from opportunity, frequently stemming from economic disadvantages or family instability. Too often, politicians believe the government is the solution to inequities, but I believe the inverse is true: government intervention, like taxes and regulations, often limits the opportunity for people. We can and should provide an opportunity for more folks by putting money back in the pockets of Iowans and supporting a pro-family policy that reinforces the building blocks of communities. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing Iowa farmers, and how to you plan to support them if elected? It comes down to low commodity prices. Our farmers are extremely good at what they do, and the Fourth District is home to some of the best in the world, but when they can鈥檛 make up the cost of production because of factors out of their control, it鈥檚 incumbent on leadership to act, and that action can take many different forms. The first thing we need to do is continue making progress on improving trade deals that open up new markets and allow for more significant exports to traditional partners. Second, we need to continue supporting Iowa鈥檚 biofuel producers, an area where we鈥檝e made great progress recently, but where there鈥檚 still more to do. Additionally, we must break up monopolies and look into price discovery. Smart government spending promoting precision farming and robust crop insurance programs are also vital.To learn more about Feenstra, check out his website.
Randy Feenstra won the Republican nomination for Iowa's 4th District in June. He will take the ballot against (D) J.D. Scholten.
Each Iowa candidate on November's ballot was given the same list of questions to answer. To view all of the candidates, click here. Here are Feenstra's responses:
What is your top priority if elected into office?
My first priority will be to secure a spot on the House Agriculture Committee, where I鈥檒l be poised to deliver meaningful results for farmers and establish a foothold in Congress from which we can take action to protect life and address our national debt.
What previous experience has prepared you for this position?
I learned the value of hard work as a kid, and I鈥檝e carried that lesson with me throughout my life as I鈥檝e collected experiences that have readied me to take on the challenges I鈥檒l face in Congress. My background in finance has provided me the understanding I鈥檒l need to address our national debt, my time working on my in-laws' farm has made me attuned to the needs of farmers, and serving as a Sunday school teacher has strengthened my conviction that life is sacred and needs protected. Most importantly though, I鈥檝e learned how to deliver 鈥 whether that鈥檚 delivering papers in Hull, Iowa, as a kid, or delivering results in the Iowa Senate.
What has been your favorite quarantine activity?
Simply spending some more time with the family. I wish the circumstances had been better, but it was fantastic having the kids back from school. Whether it鈥檚 getting out for a run together, playing some pickup basketball, or just spending time talking, I was very fortunate to have had family around during quarantine.
What part of your response to the COVID-19 pandemic are you most proud of?
From the beginning, our campaign has been about delivering results, but when COVID hit, it became about delivering for our neighbors. I鈥檓 so proud of our campaign team and how we were able to turn the entire apparatus into a relief operation, delivering whatever we could wherever it was needed 鈥 diapers, pet food, you name it. We were able to bring people together to help out in any way possible, and that鈥檚 something I鈥檒l never forget.
What response to the COVID-19 pandemic would you change?
If I had my way, we would have done more for farmers. With packing plants shutting down operations across the country, many farmers were forced to take on more significant expenses, and for big and small farms alike, that proved to be tough. We saw widespread government aid in the spring, but with agriculture being so central to Iowa鈥檚 economy, I think greater support for farmers was necessary.
What is your favorite Iowa tradition?
Definitely the CyHawk football game. It鈥檚 such an excellent chance for the state to come together and appreciate a rivalry between two fantastic Iowa schools.
How do you define social inequity and how do you plan on address it in Iowa communities?
Social inequity is the result of exclusion from opportunity, frequently stemming from economic disadvantages or family instability. Too often, politicians believe the government is the solution to inequities, but I believe the inverse is true: government intervention, like taxes and regulations, often limits the opportunity for people. We can and should provide an opportunity for more folks by putting money back in the pockets of Iowans and supporting a pro-family policy that reinforces the building blocks of communities.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing Iowa farmers, and how to you plan to support them if elected?
It comes down to low commodity prices. Our farmers are extremely good at what they do, and the Fourth District is home to some of the best in the world, but when they can鈥檛 make up the cost of production because of factors out of their control, it鈥檚 incumbent on leadership to act, and that action can take many different forms.
The first thing we need to do is continue making progress on improving trade deals that open up new markets and allow for more significant exports to traditional partners. Second, we need to continue supporting Iowa鈥檚 biofuel producers, an area where we鈥檝e made great progress recently, but where there鈥檚 still more to do. Additionally, we must break up monopolies and look into price discovery. Smart government spending promoting precision farming and robust crop insurance programs are also vital.
To learn more about Feenstra, .
