The District 84 seat in the Iowa House of Representatives is open following the announcement that State Representative Dave Heaton (R-Mount Pleasant) is retiring at the end of his current term. Joe Mitchell (R-Wayland) is one of two men vying to replace Heaton.
About
Joe Mitchell said he is originally from Wayland, Iowa, but currently attends Drake University, where he is scheduled to graduate in December with a degree in Business Administration.
He said despite being just 21 years old he has plenty of experience in state government thanks working in the legislative page program as a senior in high school and his continued work at the capitol in the Iowa Senate and for Governor Kim Reynolds and U.S. Senator Joni Ernst.
Why Running
Mitchell said he entered the race because he wants to help grow southeast Iowa and to serve the people of District 84. He said while working at the state capitol, he worked directly with constituents, which reinforced his desire to help people.
“I took a lot of constituent phone calls. I helped get their Medicaid figured out or their pension benefits, all different types of stuff. It was just a fun thing to know I was helping someone out,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell said he’s also running to bring a youthful perspective to the legislature, knowing that he has the background to take his ideas and turn them into laws.
“I know how the legislature works, I know how the process works, I already have connections and those networks built up there,” said Mitchell.
Top Priorities
Mitchell said his top priorities if elected include watching out for wasteful spending, supporting legislation that supports small businesses, and increasing funding for rural school districts.
“A lot of kids have to go to the public schools in a rural area and we need to make sure we are funding them and making sure they are getting just as much money as the urban areas.”
District
Iowa House District 84 includes Henry County and portions of Lee, Washington and Jefferson Counties.
Opponent
Jason Moats is the Democratic Nominee in Iowa House District 84
