Young Says Nation Seeks ‘Strong Leadership’ During Campaign Stop In Glenwood

Less than a month after winning the Republican Party primary for Iowa’s Third District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, David Young made a campaign stop in Glenwood Friday afternoon – visiting with employees and owners at some Town Square businesses and sitting down for an interview with The Opinion-Tribune.

Young, who represented the Third District from 2015-2019, is trying to reclaim the congressional seat he lost two years ago to Democrat Cindy Axne.

“It was an honor to serve Iowa for four years,” Young said. “I’m proud of what we did – cutting taxes and taking care of our veterans and some regulations that were hurting Iowa’s economy.”

The Van Meter native said looking out for rural constituents would be a high priority if Iowa voters send him back to Washington in the November general election.

“I want to make sure we can do whatever we can to promote our rural economy – making sure that we’re pushing trade deals, wiring up our communities with good roads and good broadbands, which has always been a part of my mission,” he said.  “Doing that is possible being seated on the appropriations committee, which I served on before and I plan on serving on that committee again.”

Strengthening the economy, adding more security to U.S. borders and improving healthcare are some of the other priorities on Young’s agenda.

“Working together to fix our healthcare system. It is still an issue,” he said. “Prices are high. We want to make sure everybody has great access and protecting those with pre-existing conditions is one of my big priorities.”

Young addressed the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing racial tension and social unrest in the country. He said the nation is at a critical point and Americans are yearning for strong political leadership.

“People right now are looking for strong leadership under some of the most uncertain and challenging times we’ve ever seen,” he said.  “From pandemics to civil unrest to economic collapse – you need to have a bold vision and make those big decisions and do it in a thoughtful way. People are looking for leadership right now.”

As the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths continues to climb in the U.S., Young said it would be easy to look back and “Monday morning quarterback” the Trump administration’s handling of the pandemic, but he’s pleased the president has given governors the authority to do what they believe needs to be done in the best interest of their individual states.

“I know it’s not a position to be envied in making decisions, but I think our governor (Kim Reynolds) did an incredible job under the circumstances,” Young said. “She was accessible and she just leveled with Iowans. She listened to everybody and then she made the tough calls.

“We’re coming out ahead of a lot of other states. Our numbers are coming down – we’re spiking with our younger people, but we’re bending the curve downward, which is unlike some other states.”

As for the social unrest that’s swept the country in recent weeks, Young said many Americans don’t feel secure right now.

“Law and order has become an issue,” he said. “We all want to make sure everybody is given justice and equity under the law, but defunding the police departments is not the answer. Getting rid of bad cops is one thing that should be done, but you don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.”

Young said he’s looking forward to campaigning throughout the Third District over the next four months and expects to return to Mills County again before the general election, possibly for the Glenwood Homecoming Parade in September.