Iowa House of Representatives District 20 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Iowa, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Iowa House of Representatives District 20 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Iowa House of Representatives District 20

Josh Turek defeated Sarah Abdouch in the general election for Iowa House of Representatives District 20 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Josh Turek (D)	50.0	3,403
		Sarah Abdouch (R)	49.9	3,397
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	7

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,807
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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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?

Sarah Abdouch (R)

Flood Mitigation needs to be a top priority. I propose forming an inter-state compact for management of the Missouri River.

School Choice is critical, giving families the right to choose how their children are taught.

Eliminating Annual Property Taxes is a issue that should have been dealt with along time ago. We must allow people to own their homes.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Sarah Abdouch (R)

I love to simplify, improve, and find new solutions to old problems. I'm excited to work with various coalitions in the Iowa House to tackle the most difficult challenges facing us today.

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

Sarah Abdouch (R)

My parents. They are remarkable people who have accomplished incredible things with their lives and I hope I can be even half as decent as them.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Sarah Abdouch (R)

Probably the Bible.

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

Sarah Abdouch (R)

A strong moral code, a willingness to listen and learn tempered by one's own convictions, and the ability to communicate and collaborate to execute your ideas.

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

Sarah Abdouch (R)

To represent the citizens of their district and protect them from overreaches of the government.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Sarah Abdouch (R)

9/11, I was ten years old at the time.

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

Sarah Abdouch (R)

I was a cashier at a grocery store and I worked there for three years while I was in college.

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

Sarah Abdouch (R)

A healthy, professional working relationship where both communicate clearly and are willing to understand each other's goals.

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

Sarah Abdouch (R)

The Federal Government is, far and away, the biggest issue facing our state.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Sarah Abdouch (R)

I don't believe there is a benefit. All it leads to is nothing getting done and the cities running rough-shod over the rights of citizens as result.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Sarah Abdouch (R)

It can be, but it can also be a hindrance. It depends on the lessons they learned.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Sarah Abdouch (R)

Yes, it's not just beneficial but necessary to form coalitions in order to accomplish what needs done.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Sarah Abdouch (R)

I have no thoughts on it at this time.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Sarah Abdouch (R)

I would be interested in State Government primarily, but considering my background in tech, probably IT.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

Sarah Abdouch (R)

NA

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Sarah Abdouch (R)

No, I have a good number of legislators I look up to.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Sarah Abdouch (R)

No.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Sarah Abdouch (R)

I've heard a good number of them, but the ones that have struck me the most are those of the older folks in our community who are just at their wits end financially right now.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Sarah Abdouch (R)

The legislature definitely needs to oversee the use of emergency powers, yes.

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

Sarah Abdouch (R)

Yes in that compromise is how we often describe the process of learning about what pitfalls others see and attempting to address them through collaboration.

See also

More about these elections:

• Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2022

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