Dave Jacoby
Democratic incumbent, House District 30

Residing city: Coralville
Age: 52
Family: Lynette (wife); Ellie, Anna (children)
Education: B.A., University of Northern Iowa
Political experience: State representative, 2003-present

Education: Jacoby said that despite recent reports of revenue flattening, he will push to main maintain last year’s level of investment [in what? state funding for higher education] and set a ceiling on year-to-year tuition increases. He also wants to cut costs by emphasizing work-study, among other options.

Energy: “Energy is a huge opportunity for Iowans,” he said, touting the energy initiatives as a way to create additional jobs. Jacoby highlighted the issue as a public-private balancing act in which the government must play a supportive role. “Part of our support may mean getting government out of the way on policy issues,” he said.

Health care: The representative wouldn’t label the current situation a crisis but said more work needs to be done in alleviating the high health-care costs for both employers and workers. The middle-class also needs help with health-care costs, Jacoby said.

Vicki Lensing
Democratic incumbent, House District 78

Residing city: Iowa City
Age: 51
Family: Rich (husband)
Education: BA, UI
Political experience: State representative, 2000-present

Education: Lensing promised further work on college affordability legislation by expanding loans, grants, and work-study programs to help alleviate student debt.

Energy: Stressing the need for a more environmentallyfriendly state, Lensing touted alternative energy, in which a growth means “new businesses and jobs to the state,” she said. Lending also highlighted “composting, rain barrels and other green steps that residents could implement.”

Health care: The universal health-care proponent argued that the federal government must address the healthcare problem. “If they do not take this up, every state is forced to come up with its own system that may or may not integrate into the bigger system,” she said. Lensing said the Legislature must continue working on expanding coverage for Iowans.

Mary Mascher
Democratic incumbent, House District 77

Residing city: Iowa City
Age: 56
Family: Divorced, Jason (child)
Education: M.A., UI; BA, UI
Political experience: State representative, 1994-present; chairwoman, Johnson County Democratic Party, 1986-88

Education: Mascher is a teacher with the Iowa City School District. She’s also vice-chairwoman of the House Education Committee. In the past, she has favored legislation that encourages companies to provide internships and apprenticeships for college students.

Energy: A proponent of renewable energy, the state representative supported a bill to prioritize renewable energy when making decisions on energy policy. She also sponsored a bill that would have mandated that 25 percent of the state’s energy must come from renewable sources.

Health care: Mascher has supported legislation such a the Healthy Kids Act, which mandated increased exercise for children around the state and cutting junk food in schools. Last year, she also supported bills for sex education and expanding health-care coverage with government programs.

Chris Brewer
Independent challenger, House District 77

(photo unavailable)

Residing city: Iowa City
Other biographical information not available.

Government: An advocate of progressive legislation, the independent challenger argues the state government is failing and not effectively enforcing current laws.

Nation: Brewer argues the nation is too beholden to corporate interests. “A society that glorifies greed will foster greed,” he wrote on his website. He also decries the two-party system, saying, “To sum up the failings of our political leadership it would be this: They are cowards.”

Health care: Brewer derides the current health-care system in the U.S., arguing it inadequately covers many. “Universal health care and economic security will not trickle down to the majority of Americans when the wealthy have enough — they will never have enough,” the school-bus driver wrote on his website.