New candidate announces State House 92 bid

KALONA — Around 40 days after primary election night, Democrats in Iowa House District 92 — which includes all of Washington County and parts of Johnson County — have announced their likely candidate for the open seat of the legislature: Eileen Beran, a grandmother from Kalona.

“This is an important moment,” Beran said in a news release. “There’s too much at stake for any race in our state to go uncontested this November. It didn’t sit well with me that people in my district would have only one candidate on the ballot, and I feel strongly motivated to meet the challenge.”

To go on the ballot, Beran will need to be selected by a nominating convention of Democrats in each precinct of the district. Such a move looks likely, as no other candidates have put their name in the running, according to Washington County Democrats Recruiter Terry Philips, who said he believed the party had a deadline in mid-August.

“(It’s) mostly a formality,” said Philips. “A vote will occur to confirm Eileen. There are precise procedures that are laid out by state law.”

While she hasn’t run for office before, Beran said she felt equipped to represent the people of House District 92.

“I’m a citizen, I have a degree of intelligence, I care about the people I care about the issues, so I was encouraged to throw my hat into the ring,” she said in an interview. “It’s a big step for me, but an uncontested run went against my grain.”

Beran said she had a commitment to the contested democratic process, a big motivator in her decision to run.

“Regardless of the chances, I want to give people a choice and a chance to have another candidate on the ballot, to not have one person be uncontested,” she said. “This country is founded on a democratic ideal, and I think that I’d like to do my little part in maintaining that.”

Beran said she felt the Republican Party was turning away from the interests of most Americans.

“I see a lot of the Democratic issues as being grassroots … there may be even Republicans who are willing to agree that some of the issues Democrats are advocating for, they want them too,” she said. “Issues that the majority of people want to have implemented should be implemented, and I don’t see that happening right now with the Republican Party.”

It will be an uphill battle. If nominated, Beran would enter the race against Republican Heather Hora, who won her party’s primary in a landslide result. The Republican has better name recognition, more time on the campaign trail, an endorsement from the governor, and a districtwide slant to the political right on her side.

Still, Beran said she had reason for hope.

“Registered Democrats and independents total a little over 10,000 in the district,” she said. “Registered Republicans are around 7,500, so if we can pull in independents, it is winnable.”

Beran said she would listen to the wishes of her voters above all else, if elected. It’s a stance that contrasts with Hora, who has framed herself as a “conservative’s conservative,” and promised to stick to the GOP platform religiously.

“I want voters to have a choice and I want to listen,” she said. “Regardless of my personal views on things, I want to listen and stand up on what my constituents are concerned about.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com