Paschen, Peterman make their pitch to Democrats in Blairsburg

“Voters More Engaged This Year” says Paschen

About 25 people gathered at Blairsburg's Opera House Saturday to raise money for Democrats in Iowa races this fall. Two candidates, Cynthia Paschen, running for the Iowa House in District 55, and Ryan Peterman, running for Iowa Secretary of State, each gave short speeches asking for voter support. Guitarist Chris Furman provided live music for the event. A buffet dinner was served for a free-will offering.

Cynthia Paschen

Paschen has previously run three times for the Iowa senate. This year, she's a candidate for the Iowa House, instead. When we spoke to her at Blairsburg Saturday evening, she'd been knocking on doors in the rain all afternoon.

"Iowans are really struggling, but beyond that, they're feeling inconsequential, not feeling they matter," she said. Like Iowa gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand, Paschen laments the lack of co-operation and courtesy that's characterized the statehouse in recent years. "As Rob says, why do we continue to have two teams that just can't seem to work together . . . on anything?"

In Paschen's view, government need not be complicated. "There's a lot to be said for showing up, putting in the work, actually answering the phone, facing voters in a town hall," implying she would be that kind of representative, given the opportunity.

She sees more voter interest and engagement for this election than in years past. Feeling her past campaigns have given her some name recognition with voters in a very red district, comprising all of Hamilton and Franklin Counties, and parts of Story and Wright Counties,

she said, "I see more interest and engagement this year."

Ryan Peterman

Ryan Peterman, 34, grew up in Bettendorf. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, he served 10 years as a Navy pilot, ultimately qualifying to fly the Lockheed-Martin MH60 Seahawk helicopter, considered to be the most effective anti-submarine aircraft in the world. He later returned to the Academy as an honor education officer. In this role, he was directly involved in shaping the character of future Naval officers.

His only taste of politics came during the year he spent working as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire. After being on the east coast so many years, he

said it became clear to him one day, "I missed Iowa. I wanted to come home," which he did in 2024.

"I was surprised how much my state had changed in 15 years. There was constant talk about water quality, skyrocketing cancer rates, and the decline of public schools." He feels his opponent, incumbent Paul Pate, "has lost sight of who he works for." Peterman focused on the numerous changes to Iowa's election laws since the 2020 election, saying, simply, "Pate has made it harder to vote in Iowa."

If elected, Peterman would make voting regulations an early and important priority. "I'd like to see expanded early voting, maybe making election day a state holiday."

He also pledged to make Iowa an easier place to do business. Citing the key role of the Secretary of State's office in issuing business licenses, and directing new, and small businesses, to state support resources, such as programs at the Iowa Economic Development Agency,

Peterman said, "the website is old, and not easy-to-use. The Secretary's office should be more robust than it is today in partnering with small businesses and county auditors."

With just over a month before election day, Peterman had made campaign stops in 86 of Iowa's 99 counties. Playing to a friendly crowd at Blairsburg, he concluded his remarks, saying, "we can win this, and other, races this year. Please make sure you do your part."