Stewart promises to be CEO of Iowa – Osceola-Sentinel Tribune
En route to a parade in Hampton on July 12, Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Rick Stewart drove through Osceola with a stop at the newspaper office to discuss his campaign for governor of Iowa.
Race history
This isn’t the first time Stewart has run for office in Iowa; this is his fifth. Stewart first raced against Joni Ernst and Bruce Braley in 2014, placing third out of six contestants. At the time, Stewart was biking through Iowa and crossing all 99 counties.
“I was in really good shape, but it wasn’t the most effective method of campaigning,” Stewart said.
A resident of Cedar Rapids, Stewart ran for Linn County sheriff in 2016 and in 2018 for secretary of agriculture. He ran against Ernst again in 2020, securing 2.2% of the vote in that year’s election. Stewart said his previous four races were just preparation for 2022, and this is the year for him to prove he can get 2% of the vote. To be a major party in Iowa, a candidate must continually receive 2% of the vote.
“No Libertarian has ever gotten 2% in Iowa before,” Stewart said, adding that being a big party is good for Libertarians because they can then nominate people at conventions and get more coverage. media.
War on Drugs and Mental Health
One of Stewart’s main goals is the War on Drugs, which he says is tied to everything, and is also “the worst idea America has ever had.” He explained how greed has stood in the way of good, safe products that are contributing to the overdose crisis the United States is experiencing today.
“I will end the war on drugs in Iowa immediately,” Stewart said, presenting it as a day one initiative.
Stewart said mental health goes hand in hand with the war on drugs. He is in favor of allowing psychiatric nurses to prescribe psychiatric drugs to patients. For Stewart, he said great medical use can be achieved by allowing the use of psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin, MDMA and LSD. He also believes that every county in the state needs 24/7 access to acute mental health services.
Clean water and local control
On drinking water, Stewart said he plans to create watershed co-ops, and it will be up to the members of each co-op to make sure the water that comes out of the watershed is as clean as it is. was going to. in.
“I don’t care how you do it, you have to do it,” Stewart said.
When it comes to clean water management, Stewart believes in the ability of local governments to address local issues. What works for one city won’t work for the next, and Stewart said that’s why it’s important for him not to stay away from what he doesn’t need to get involved in.
“Give Osceola the freedom to be a really good town and understand that,” Stewart said.
Eminent Domain; education
Other topics discussed by Stewart were eminent domain, which he disagrees with allowing private companies to use.
“I’m not going to allow taxpayers to fund a private company’s bill to make a lot of money,” Stewart said.
As for education, Stewart said education starts with good teachers, not schools. He thinks allowing parents to choose the teacher they want for their children is the way to go.
“We have a teacher shortage because we have made it miserable to be a teacher,” said Stewart, adding that the government should pull out of schools altogether.
About Stewart
Stewart was born in Postville, Iowa, and raised in Maquoketa. He graduated from Andover Academy in Massachusetts in 1969 and spent several years in college and traveling before earning a degree in farm mechanics from Kirkwood Community College. In 1976 he started a small business in Norway, Iowa, which is still active today, and while there he said he ran the business: “Based on us we’re all here to be a member of a great family organization that cares about you and your family as much as we care about me and our jobs.He plans to lead Iowa the same way.
“Bring nice back to Iowa politics,” Stewart said. “3 million Iowans, and I plan to be the state’s CEO.”