Government : Iowa State Senate District 42 Candidate Profile: Jessica Wiskus

It was never my intention to run for a political office. But last November I learned that an out-of-state corporation wanted to use eminent domain to force a dangerous CO2 pipeline through my neighbors' land, past our local school district, churches, nursing homes, and houses. I knew that I had to take action. It simply isn't right for the government to condemn a person's property, endanger our community's safety, and stuff the profits into the pockets of corporate executives. All of us around here know this, and we've been standing together-Republicans, Democrats, No Party voters-for months.

Of course, I contacted my House representative at the time, Charlie McClintock, and wrote him with detailed information about the issue. So did my neighbors. But when time came for action, McClintock missed the vote on HR-2565 (the bill that would have put a moratorium on eminent domain for the CO2 pipeline corporations).

Next year, I will introduce legislation to protect us from the abuse of eminent domain, because I have the courage to stand up for the common good.

Sometimes it feels like the powers that be-political, corporate-want to keep us, the voters, split apart because it's easier for them to trample on our constitutional rights if we are busy fighting each other. But in the 10 months that I've been organizing with my neighbors against eminent domain, I've seen that what unites us is much stronger than what divides us. Iowans want respect from Des Moines, not bullying. We value honesty, not corporate spin. We stand for fairness and dignity. And we admire courage and action, not excuses.

I am running for State Senate to bring our values back to Des Moines.

Des Moines lacks leaders who understand how to uphold the common good. Last year, we saw a lot of political theater-blustering, shouting, obscene gestures-from legislators who were under the influence of national partisan agendas that didn't reflect who we are as Iowans. I want to change that, because in our communities, we know how to set differences aside and work together when something important is at stake. It's not about Democrats. It's not about Republicans. It's about Iowans. This duty to treat our neighbors like ourselves is part of the moral fabric that I will return to the State Senate.

I ask that voters consider what I've been doing to stand up against eminent domain-the way I've done the research, organized community meetings, talked neighbor-to-neighbor, communicated with the media, and stood up at meetings across the state-to see how I would be a respectful but truth-telling leader in the Iowa Senate.

I have knocked on a lot of doors and been privileged to hear from Democrats, Republicans, and No-Party voters. All of us are concerned about governmental overreach and the dangerous pride of political power that has forgotten how to respect the rights and the values of local Iowans.

* On eminent domain for the CO2 pipeline corporations. I do not support the use of eminent domain for private profits. As an Iowa State Senator, I would forward legislation to require that a company obtain 90% of easements voluntarily before eminent domain could be triggered. Does that threshold seem high? In fact, last year, Senate File 2160 would have forbidden any use of eminent domain for these CO2 pipelines-and neither ADM nor POET objected to that bill. You see, this isn't about ethanol-it's about out-of-state corporations like Navigator and Wolf and their multi-national investors who view the taking of Iowa land as a new "gold rush." Among my opponents, only I have had the strength to stand up for the future of our rural and small-town communities.

* On the future of our public schools. I do not support the school "voucher" initiatives. They represent an agenda developed by a political group in Washington, D.C., led by a representative from North Carolina, and utterly out of touch with Iowa traditions and values. Public schools are at the heart of Iowa's small-town communities, and everyone has an interest in seeing them thrive. It's about the common good. For example, we contribute to the upkeep of roads and bridges whether or not we drive on every single one, because we see the value in making them safe for everyone. Similarly, public schools are about the common good-they provide every child in Iowa with an equal opportunity for growth, achievement, and self-determination. We support this opportunity by committing to principles and values that are shared in our communities, like respect, honor, generosity, and trust. There is a nobility in this that we should not abandon.

* On protection from governmental overreach. In 2021, my opponent, Charlie McClintock, voted against H-1012, a proposal to safeguard a woman's access to medical procedures if necessary to save her life. Miscarriages happen. Life-threatening pregnancy complications happen. When a woman-a wife, a mother, a daughter-shows up in the emergency room, bleeding, should doctors have their hands tied because legislators forbid them from saving her life? This is an extreme form of governmental overreach, and, to me, it's the mark of a politician who is not interested in protecting life, but only in protecting his own power.

Politics can be a bit bruising in this day and age, and I do what I can to shield my family from the spotlight, but they have unfailingly and courageously stood by me all this time. Those who have cheered our campaign in local parades have seen my parents in their farm truck (decorated with the signs, "Our rights we will maintain… No eminent domain!"), my husband handing out candy, my daughter dressed as a little Statue of Liberty, and all of my amazing volunteers in the green "Wiskus" shirts, walking together with me.

This is truly a community effort. Anyone who knows my family knows that we are not usually involved in politics. We believe in acting locally, rolling up our sleeves and chipping in for the good of our community. That's who we are-that's who we've been for generations. (I'm the seventh generation to live in rural Eastern Iowa.) I volunteer every single week, whether in classes for kids with the Master Gardeners, serving on the Board of the Southeast Linn Community Center, helping out in the community gardens, or organizing charity and educational programs at church. I feel blessed to be a part of a community that is vibrant, generous, and strong, and I am committed to doing everything I can-even running for office!-to keep it that way. For me, this campaign isn't about political agendas-it's about Iowa. It's about Iowa's noble heritage of upholding respect, dignity, and the greater good. It's about our hope for the future, and what we must do, now, to come together for the sake of the next generations.

Thank you, to everyone, for doing your own part in making us strong! It has been a privilege to get to know you and your community!