IOWA — For months after longtime state Sen. Bob Dvorsky announced in September he wouldn’t seek re-election in 2018, no one offered to fill his shoes.
The job representing Iowa Senate District 37 would be a plumb one for any Democrat willing to run — representing the district of more than 62,500 that encompasses the blue-leaning Iowa City and Coralville communities and reaching across parts of Johnson, Cedar and Muscatine counties.
Though no one initially raised a hand, retired Foreign Service employee Janice Weiner, 60, finally did in December.
Days later, Iowa City-raised Zach Wahls, 26, who became known for his defense and support of his same-sex parents in a speech to Iowa lawmakers, plus other political advocacy, joined her.
And then came University of Iowa law student Eric Dirth, 27, in January, followed by Sudan-native Imad Youssif, 53, in March.
Today, the four-person Democratic battle for a spot on the November ballot makes the primary the most competitive in the state. And, for this district, the June 5 primary could be the election since no Republican has filed paperwork to contest the Democratic primary winner in November.
Whoever is elected to succeed Dvorsky, earning an annual salary of $25,000, will do so without experience in elected political office.
NOVICE AN ADVANTAGE
The candidates told The Gazette they believe being a legislative novice is a benefit, as the state needs fresh perspectives and energy.
“It’s definitely a positive,” Wahls said when asked about his youth. “I think people are really ready for some new blood. ... I think people are also just excited to see young people stepping up and getting involved.”
Having spent plenty of time advocating for various causes — including as co-founder and executive director of Scouts for Equality, which led a national campaign to end discrimination in the Boy Scouts of America — Wahls said he doesn’t see his youth as akin to inexperience.
“I’m a little unusual at 26, as I’ve had some very serious responsibilities,” he said. “And I think people are responding very positively to my advocacy work, and they’re excited to see that next generation really stepping up to the plate.”
Dirth — who at age 27 has earned a master’s degree in communication and environmental advocacy from James Madison University and a law degree from the UI, racking up experience along the way working for the Iowa Court of Appeals, the Office of the Iowa Attorney General, and a mid-size law firm — agreed youth does not equal inexperienced.
“I’m younger than some of my colleagues would be in the Senate, but I think that’s a really valuable quality,” he said. “I think we are ready for new voices.”
Weiner views her fresh legislative perspective, blended with her years of life experience, as the best mix for a state she says has “been drinking through a fire hose of all the things that need to be changed.”
“What I bring to the table is in addition to enormous energy ... is very deep professional and personal experience,” she said.
The Coralville native and West High graduate earned degrees from Princeton University and Stanford Law School and then served as a U.S. diplomat in the State Department for more than 25 years, including stints in Germany, Poland, Turkey, Mexico and Canada.
She raised two adopted daughters, worked across cultures and political spectra, coordinated foreign-service moves and also volunteered for political campaigns and local groups.
“I think life experience matters enormously,” Weiner said.
For his part, Youssif — who ran for Coralville City Council last year — cites his experience on international boards, including analytical, investigative and presentation skills acquired as a banker, financial planner and fraud investigator with the United Nations.
“Also I have leadership experience,” he said.
ON THE ISSUES
In laying out their top priorities, many of the candidates touched on similar issues — women’s rights, education funding, water quality and worker rights. But each felt uniquely qualified and passionate about specific issues, including Dirth’s enthusiasm to reform criminal justice laws and enact a statewide ballot initiative.
“While local municipalities often use the ballot initiative to hear the voices of its citizens, Iowa, unlike 24 other states, does not have a statewide ballot initiative,” according to Dirth’s website.
“This provides another way to bridge the partisan divide,” he told The Gazette.
Wahls said he’d like to reverse the Medicaid privatization and restore local control over minimum wage.
Weiner wants to address issues around child care and children’s mental health.
Youssif sees opportunity to enact a sort of universal health care model that treats patients equitably.
And all, despite their strong Democratic views, believe in the desperate need to improve collaboration across seemingly widening political divides.
“Whether I agree with them 10 percent of the time or 95 percent of the time, I still need to be able to deal with them,” Weiner said.
l Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com
BIO BOXES
Name: Eric Dirth
Age: 27
Address: Coralville
Education: Master’s degree, James Madison University; law degree, University of Iowa
Occupation: Recent student
Website: dirthforiowa.com/
Name: Zach Wahls
Age: 26
Address: Coralville
Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Iowa; master’s degree in public policy, Princeton University
Occupation: Recent student
Website: zachwahlsforiowa.com/
Name: Janice Weiner
Age: 60
Address: Iowa City
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Princeton University; law degree, Stanford University
Occupation: 25 years as diplomat with U.S. State Department; volunteer; member, Johnson County Democrats Central Committee.
Website: https://janice4iowa.com/
Name: Imad Youssif
Age: 53
Address: Coralville
Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Khartoum, Sudan; master’s degree, St. Ambrose University; two doctorate degrees, London School of Economics and Political Science and Argosy University, Chicago
Occupation: Self-employed consultant, coach, accountant, investigator
Website: facebook.com/Amani1965/posts/178405269456514