• Article Photo. Dave Funk, Jim Gibbons and Brad Zaun campaign for Congress in Vinton, Tuesday.
    Dave Funk, Jim Gibbons and Brad Zaun campaign for Congress in Vinton, Tuesday.

A former mayor and current state senator, a former pilot who is now an airline securit y consultant, and a member of one of Iowa's legendary wrestlng families visited Vinton Tuesday evening for one purpose: To tell an audience why they want to be the next 3rd District Congressman.

State Sen. Brad Zaun of Urbandale, Dave Funk of rural Runnells, and Jim Gibbons of Des Moines discussed national political issues after introducing themselves to about 25 people at the US Bank Community Room. The trio were invited by the Benton County Advocates, a group of generally conserative local residents who have been organizing discussions about health care and other issues for the past several months.

Zaun told the audience how he grew up helping his father in a tractor dealership, and went on to own his own hardware store. His experiences motivated him to run for City Council and then Mayor of Urbandale.

Gibbons was one of four brothers who won a total of 10 Iowa High School wrestling championships, a record he said has not been broken. He  was an NCAA champion wrester in 1981 and coached Iowa State to a national title in 1987. He has had a two-decade career in financial services, most recently as a Vice President with Wells Fargo Bank.

The three candidates largely agreed on most of the questions asked during the event.

Funk said that when it comes to government spending, its time to "stop the stupid spending and shrink the size and scope of government."

Gibbons said it is time for Republicans to return to their conservative roots, especially when it comes to limiting government spending.

"We spent like the left and now the real big spenders are in town," he said.

Zaun also called for a limited role in government spending and regulation.

"Never have the stakes been higher," he said.

 The three candidates agreed on many issues: They all oppose the health care reform bill, cap and trade legislation and the corporate bailout plan.

They all agreed that the U.S. energy policy should include an expansion of nuclear energy as well as drilling for oil on U.S. lands. And they unanimously call for less government regulation of industry.