Jaron Rosien runs on finding solutions

Iowa House District 92 Candidate Jaron Rosien has a simple pitch to voters. The current mayor of Washington and local business owner said he had a reputation for getting things done.

“My take-away from life experiences thus far is … problem-solving,” he said. “That was the case at the restaurant, that’s the case with dealing with people and staff and municipal issues. Similarly, it will be the case with state issues. I believe life is a matter of problem-solving, critical thinking, objective reasoning, et cetera.“

After graduating from the University of Iowa, Rosien returned to town for a job at a Verizon shop. He went on to found his bar, JP’s 207, and said he was eventually “talked into” running for city council and eventually mayor. Both ventures were successful.

Rosien said he chose to run for state house to ensure the district would have an effective and positive voice in Des Moines.

“My nature as a person is to not sit on the sidelines, and complain, but is to be involved and giving of my time, knowledge, and experience,” he said. “Some believe it’s an Armageddon-type landscape, that there’s nothing to hope for. That is not my perspective, I wouldn’t be running for office if optimism wasn’t a part of my person. I believe we can improve our community and improve our state, and that there is good work to be done.”

Rosien said that kind of drive ran in the family.

“We like to think that we are relaxed, chill people, but we are kind of wound in a way that we need to be helping, we need to be involved,” he said. “It being part of my makeup goes beyond me, and extends multiple generations.”

On the political spectrum, Rosien said he considered himself a moderate.

“I am not a fanatic or extremist in my beliefs ... I am not too proud to change my mind or listen to new information about something I don’t know enough about,” he said. “I am calm, and I’m objective, and solution oriented. I think it’s relevant because that’s important. Not everyone is calm or objective or solution-oriented ... As a candidate, I have emotions but I, with intention, put emotions aside to listen, to be able to see problems clearly.”

Still, Rosien said he disagreed with some who had characterized him as an independent candidate.

“I will look at legislation as an elected official doing my due diligence to the district that I represent,” he said. “I was using phrases like ‘forward-thinking Republican’ or ‘future-minded Republican,’ or thinking of the big picture … as an elected official, you still work for people who didn’t vote for you, and I think that’s important.”

That attitude breaks from the norm of the state’s often polarized, GOP-controlled legislature. Still, Rosien said it was a good method for conservatives in the lawmaking body, and an approach he believed voters could get behind.

“I think the question is why not,” he said. “My nine years of elected office have resulted in three elections, which I have won each with overwhelming support. In my first election, I believe it was four to one. My most recent was unopposed. That’s not a coincidence, I think it’s an indication that people want some more representation that is calm and moderate.”

As an Iowan, Rosien said he had seen tangible impacts of partisan fighting, including a disincentive for potential newcomers to the state.

“Divisiveness political rhetoric (is) a reason some have moved away or chosen not to live here, because the extremes, and the extreme rhetoric in the news is exhausting,” he said. “It’s exhausting for me too, but because I want to be a part of that change, here I am with my name on the ballot … I’m confident in my ability to work well with others, to be respectful, to listen.”

Rosien said he hoped his centrist ideas would appeal to voters that may not always turn out for the Republican primary.

“I want voters to know, if you’re an independent but you want to see me on the Republican ticket, you are able to vote in the Republican primary,” he said. “If you are a Democrat, and you want to vote for me, you can do so in both the Republican primary and in the general. Our ability to vote is our right and our duty.”

While he’s heard concerns from constituents about things like retirement benefits and workforce issues, Rosien said he was not yet sure which specific policy issues would become top priorities.

“I think it’s important that I get my bearings, and some of those issues will quickly rise to the top as obvious, apparent areas that need focus and attention,” he said. “I don’t know what all of those issues are as I sit with you now, but I am confident as I do the work that I will see them clearly through the lens of a legislator.”

While Washington is a less rural community than much of the rest of district 92, Rosien said he had a connection to farmers from his own youth on a farm raising corn, soy, cattle and hogs. To bolster that rapport, his campaign has concentrated its outreach in those more rural areas.

“I’m a rural born-and-raised individual, I grew up in rural Iowa, I’m thankful for my parents for the hard work ethic and the critical thinking of my upbringing,” he said. “I have not done any door-knocking in the city of Washington where I reside. I have focused my energy entirely outside of our community, for that reason. I’ve enjoyed getting to know people in the other communities surrounding where my home is.”

Rosien has a lengthy profile of community involvement, highlights of which include the Chair of the Iowa Arts Council, a member of the ECICOG transportation board, the PAWS & More board, and the county historic preservation commission among others.

“My public service and volunteering and giving back is consistent, in and outside of election years,” he said. “It’s been seen across the board regardless of whether my name was on the ballot or not.”

That said, Rosien stressed that his selling point was not his experience, but his record of success.

“I establish relationships with directors and officials that continue to be positive … this (wasn’t) on accident,” he said. “I was recognized for my leadership, for my quality as a person, and promoted accordingly … I’m going to be most effective by working well with people, by listening to ideas, by facilitating effective solutions.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com