Mike Frantz

Mike Frantz earned a bachelor's degree from Simpson College in 1986 and a graduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1987. Frantz is retired.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Plant Hope! That is our message. We must improve educational outcomes, increase financial support for all levels of education, and empower educators to inform their curricula instead of lawmakers. We must stop using taxpayer funds to underwrite the cost of school children at private institutions. Iowa's cancer rates are among the nation's highest. Healthcare deserts are expanding. Soil and water quality are in decline. Science will help us find the solutions and we must fund this critical research. Bureaucrats and their opinions must never be allowed to ignore valid scientific research and the results thereof. Constitutionally, we are all supposed to be equal; however, Iowa women enjoy fewer rights than men, LGBTQ+ community members have fewer civil rights. Government doesn't belong in our doctors' offices, our bedrooms, or our bathrooms. Let the people of Iowa, assuming they are not harming others, live as they see fit. This campaign plants hope that our children will again receive the best education in the nation, that Iowans are again among the healthiest in the country, and that science is the backbone of problem solving.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Iowa once had the top ranking for education, but we are now thirteenth and falling. Stop the private school voucher program and increase investments in K-12, community colleges, public universities, job training programs, and apprenticeship programs. Hold the educators and institutions accountable for high quality instruction but also provide them the freedom to educate as their training dictates, instead of forced curricular requirements from elected officials.Iowa has among the highest cancer rates in the nation, and our soil and water health is substandard. Access to nearby healthcare is waning. Legislation is deterring the recruitment of enough healthcare providers which compounds these problems. Iowa must become a destination state for professionals and skilled workers. To do so, we must pass legislation that makes clear we welcome citizens from all walks of life. Ours must be a state that values scientific research over political opinion. Science will be the key to solving many of our problems.Expand personal freedoms. Women must have the same rights as men. LGBTQ+ individuals must have the same civil rights as others. Access to the voting box must be made easier rather than harder. Restrictions on rights must be fought at every turn. Instead, we must seek ways to be inclusive and expansive in how we are allowed to live.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education, equal rights, scientific research, soil and water quality, human services, healthcare, respect of personal privacy, voting rights, support for farmers to produce profits, enhancements for rural communities, a fair tax system that also recognizes property taxes are too high, increased commodity markets, broadband access, and rural healthcare.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I've been blessed with a number of mentors who have guided my path, taken me under their wings, and taught me to be a better person.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, honesty, strong communication skills, listening, principled

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To represent their constituents fairly and be responsive to their needs.

What legacy would you like to leave?

To leave Iowa better than I found her.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Mowed lawns, shoveled snow, walked beans, and detassels corn throughout my teens.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I'm only 5'6" thus reaching the top shelves in the grocery stores is difficult.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Shared values and common goals.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Budget deficit

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

IFL

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

Landing on the moon.