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 in office. Jason Moats (D-Mount Union) is one of two men vying to replace Heaton.
About
Jason Moats said he is a correctional trades leader at the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility (plumbing, electrical, building maintenance). He also trains the inmates at the facility for trade careers. Moats and his wife Amber have three children.
Why Running
Moats said he’s served on the Mount Union City Council and has taken on leadership roles in his local union, so he feels he’s ready for the Iowa Legislature.
Moats said what prompted him to run in District 84 is repeatedly seeing politicians voting the way their party or a special interest group wants them to vote instead of how their constituents want them to vote.
“I don’t think that that’s right,” said Moats. “The people who vote and put these people in their position, that’s what I am about. I like helping people and I want to be the one who takes their voices to Des Moines. I feel I would be a strong voice and a great listener to the people.”
Top Priority
Moats said the biggest challenge he sees facing District 84 and the entire state is what he describes as the lack of lawmakers working together for all Iowans.
“Right now, there is no one working together and as we have seen in the last few years, some things have been shoved through that have cost the taxpayers money,” said Moats. “Medicaid, people have not been getting the resources they need. Mental health. I want to work with people across the aisle to make things better.”
District
Iowa House District 84 includes Henry County and portions of Lee, Washington and Jefferson Counties.
Opponent
Joe Mitchell is the Republican Nominee in Iowa House District 84.