Meet the Candidates: James Wassell | News

(Council Bluffs) — KMA News continues its “Meet the Candidates” series, featuring candidates running in key races in the November general election. Today’s segment features the Republican challenger in the 20th Iowa House District race, James Wassell.

A Maryland native, Wassell served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps before he and his wife, a local native, returned to Pottawattamie County. Currently, Wassell works as a service technician on industrial engines. Speaking Monday morning on KMA’s “Morning Line,” Wassell said he is running for the Iowa Legislature to give young families a voice in state government.

“It’s really hard as a young person to get out there and take risks,” Wassell said, “to get a loan for a house or start a business, just because the regulations and taxes really kill you when you start that. -especially when a quarter or more of your mortgage goes to taxes.”

Accusing Democratic lawmakers of turning state government into a “charity,” Wassell says he supports eliminating Iowa’s income tax system.

“There is a plan to get rid of the income tax in Iowa,” he said, “and join the ranks of all other states that have completely abolished the income tax, and then we can just survive on our income tax or our property tax. I’m very much in favor of eliminating as many taxes as possible.”

Wassell calls the use of eminent domain for proposed carbon capture projects “unconstitutional.” He also supports a six-week abortion ban in Iowa. While saying he is unfamiliar with the details of Iowa’s voucher program, Wassell believes parents should have control over their children’s education.

“I believe parents have the right to choose how their children will be educated,” Wassell said. “Every child in this country should be educated, but I don’t believe the government or any union should just tell parents what’s best for their child. Parents have the right, as responsible protectors of their children, to choose where and how their child should be educated. »

Tuesday on Meet the Candidates, we’ll hear from Iowa House District 19th Republican incumbent Brent Siegrist. You can hear the full interview with James Wassell here: