Reader asks who Watkins will work for

Dear Editor:
Where and Who is Watkins?
It is a long-expected tradition in Iowa for voters to meet the candidate in person, shake the hand, look them in the eye, give them the Iowa look over. The candidate gathers their family, friends, and their loyal party supporters as surrogates to help get out the vote. People that know the candidate, supporters not strangers.
House District 100, in Lee County is having a special election on March 11, 2025 to fill the seat by the sudden loss of Rep. Martin Graber.  The Republicans in Lee County have nominated Blaine Watkins as their candidate. Watkins has left the farm for the big city, but now wants to represent the people back home in the district. In Des Moines, Blaine Watkins, sits under the Golden Dome, passing paperwork from legislator to legislator, while his army of hired canvassers are doing the door knocking campaign work. Yes, hired off the street! Not family, friends, or supporters. So, when someone comes to your door asking for you to vote for Watkins, ask them if they know him. Ask the canvasser, “are they with Americans for Prosperity?” Watkins states he will be using their services.

If you are unfamiliar with Americans for Prosperity (AFP), it was created by the billionaire Koch brothers. Yes, more billionaires telling us they know best. This organization opposes raising the minimum wage, supports eliminating public sector unions and collective bargaining, and dismantling public schools. Who will Blaine be working for? Will he work for the unemployed factory worker that is surviving on unemployment benefits as Iowa’s economy shrinks?  Will Blaine work for the public-school children who need services to succeed? How will Blaine work for the public sector employees that serve our communities as educators, safety personnel, our prison guards? The assault from the Republicans’ recent legislation includes drastic reductions to unemployment benefits for laid off employees, dismantling public school services for our most vulnerable children, giving away public school funds to unaccountable private and for-profit education services that can discriminate which child to educate, and leaving our public service employees in overcrowded, understaffed prisons.
Where and who is Watkins? Will he slip on his boots and get some road dust on them? Watkins will clearly work for whom is doing his campaign funding and work. That is Americans for Prosperity not the residents of House District 100.
Best regards,
Susan Stoefen
New Liberty, IA 52765