Editor’s note: In the latest in a series of articles introducing the candidates on Tuesday’s general election ballot, state Rep. Mike Sexton, R-Rockwell City, answers some questions from The Messenger.

Sexton is seeking his fourth term in the state House of Representatives. He is being challenged by Democrat Carmella Schultes.

They are seeking to represent House District 10, which includes Calhoun, Humboldt and Pocahontas counties plus western Webster County.

What are three serious issues facing our state right now and what would you do to try to solve them? What legislation would you help introduce or support?

Get our economy back on track: Iowa’s economy was doing very well before COVID. Unemployment was at record lows and wages were increasing. But the COVID pandemic and subsequent closure of schools and businesses has caused serious problems for many families. As we prepare for next session, I’ll be on the lookout for opportunities to help Iowans get back to work and school safely and responsibly.

Skill up Iowa’s workforce: Workforce has been and continues to be the biggest challenge facing our employers. Before COVID, they had thousands of jobs open but were not able to find workers with the skillsets necessary to fill them. We should continue to invest in Iowa’s community colleges and the career training programs that they offer to Iowans. Iowa Central has been a tremendous partner in these efforts. When Iowans are able to master a skill and move up in their career or fill one of those open jobs that employers have, that leads to higher wages and take-home pay for families. Expediting the development of affordable housing and high-speed broadband across the state is another way to address our workforce challenges.

Support agriculture: Agriculture is the backbone of Iowa’s economy and I’ll continue to make sure that our farmers are supported. I will continue to prioritize water quality efforts to by supporting the Nutrient Reduction Strategy, keep taxes low, and encourage young Iowans to get into agriculture. Our farmers do an incredibly important job feeding and fueling our state, country, and the world and I’ll stand up against any efforts to make that more difficult.

What sets you apart from your opponent?

I believe my background makes me the best candidate for this office. As a fourth-generation family farmer and small business owner I know how hard it is to make ends meet. I know how unneeded regulations can be overwhelming. I have worked hard as this district’s state representative. I have been elected by my peers to be the Majority Whip which is the fourth highest position in the House.

As HD10’s current State Representative, I can hit the ground running immediately. During my time in the Legislature I have worked with and built relationships with members of both parties so that I can advance the priorities of the people living in Calhoun, Humboldt, Pocahontas, and Webster counties.

What is one thing you’ve learned in visiting with Iowans during your campaign?

As I said above, workforce is the biggest issue I’ve heard from folks. Employers are held back by a lack of workers, not just with high-demand skills, but they just need more people. They are often training people with no experience because they are so desperate for workers. In addition to investing in skills training and spurring housing/broadband development, we also need to find ways to attract new folks to live and work in Iowa.

Child care is another that I’m hearing more about, specifically how it’s tied to our workforce issues. The cost of day care has become incredibly expensive in some areas and oftentimes, parents are struggling to find day care providers with enough space to accommodate their kids. Last session, the House proposed a robust package of legislation that would have dealt with child care. This plan that would have reduced child care costs by expanding an existing tax credit to more middle-class families, increased access to day care providers, incentivized employers to offer and expand child care to their employees, and addressed the “cliff effect” by easing Iowans off of government child care assistance programs. Unfortunately, the pandemic forced us to sideline the plan this session but I will be working with others and expect it to come up again next year.