Iowa State Senate District 17 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Iowa, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Iowa State Senate District 17 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Iowa State Senate District 17

Izaah Knox defeated Toya S. Johnson and Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz in the general election for Iowa State Senate District 17 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Izaah Knox (D)	76.6	10,286
		Toya S. Johnson (L)	12.6	1,690
		Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)	9.7	1,297
		Other/Write-in votes	1.2	162

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 13,435
= 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

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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?

Izaah Knox (D)

Public Funds for Public Schools

Civil and Human Rights

Workforce Development

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

I’m not running because I believe that electoral politics alone will deliver on the will and needs of the people. We’ve seen countless elected officials use this platform to build power for corporations and the rich. I’m running because a state-wide platform can be a catalyst for significant change if it is led by the people. We the people can demand it.

I'm running because elections are a platform. A platform typically used by people with power to generate even more power. I'm running to give this platform to the people who are already organizing or want to organize to address the issues that the state was established to ignore. I want to call attention to the fact that organizing around elections distracts us from the power that we have.

I don't want to use this platform simply to promise legislation. Want to organize your workplace? Want to join a tenants union? Want to get connected to existing mutual aid efforts or help meet a need in your community? Then let's do it.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Izaah Knox (D)

As Malcolm X stated, “education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” This statement is just as true now as when he said it. As our State Senator, I will fight to adequately and fully fund all of Iowa's public schools. Public dollars are for public schools. Moreover, public schools should have the discretion to get those funds into the classroom so that teachers have all the tools they need to teach and students have everything they need to learn. I have two daughters in Des Moines Public Schools, and I work inside the public schools. We need a State Senator who has experience creating, implementing, and scaling successful programs for students in PreK-12, high school equivalency programs, PSE, and the Trades. I am that candidate.

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

Community Ownership and Worker Power: Laws are written to protect employers over workers, landlords over tenants, and developers and corporations over communities. Workers deserve ownership over their labor and communities deserve ownership over their resources. Let’s work to establish community-owned utilities and housing, worker co-operatives, and let’s put workers on employer boards.

Direct Democracy and Mutual Aid: Government officials are not connected to the community, and many officials make their office intentionally unreachable. Ale will build new systems to provide direct representation and invest in the needs of our communities.

Decriminalize Poverty and Substance Use: Criminalizing poverty and substance use perpetuates cycles of harm and trauma. Instead of displacing our neighbors and stripping them of resources, Ale will help build systems that address community needs.

Abolish ICE, Defund the Police, Build Community: Federal, State and local agents do not belong in our neighborhoods, schools, nor homes. The presence of law enforcement in our communities has resulted in escalations of violence, and has been proven to further exacerbate harm. We must reallocate resources back into the health and safety of our communities.

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

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

I don't believe that I look up to a specific person. Nothing great that has ever been accomplished was done so by one single person but rather a community of advocates often erased by our desire to identify leaders and martyrs. I look all around me, I look at my direct neighbors who have built community right here on my block. We share resources, we offer help and we put in the effort to get to know each other in order to keep each other safe. That's the example that I want to follow regardless of where I live and I want to work to help others build something like that. That said, my mom is a badass and I have learned so much from her.

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

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

Our Word is Our Weapon by Subcommandante Marcos

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

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

Being a good follower and listener. Not a single person in that capitol is a true representation of their constituents and to me that is the most important fact that elected officials need to be aware of.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

I'm an organizer and a listener. One of the biggest things I've learned is that I'm not very unique, I've never had a unique thought. I simply haven't met the other person who has had that same thought. This is the case a lot of times when we feel isolated, as an organizer I help bridge those relationships to remind us that we are not alone.

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

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

The most important responsibility is to center and elevate the needs of the most vulnerable communities. To listen to and be led by those ignored and hurt by the system.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

I would like to help decentralize power and allow us true ownership over our lives and resources.

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

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

For me, this would be the "Day Without an Immigrant" protests of the early 2000s. I was 8 years old when I participated in my first march and I remember being pretty interested in the sense of excitement and unity that I felt marching with my community. I also remember feeling scared as we heard whispers of counter-protesters burning the Mexican flag and holding hateful signs. While I didn't see those counter-protesters, the image that I saw in my head has stuck with me to this day.

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

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

My first job was at HyVee as a courtesy clerk, cashier, and later a kitchen and dairy clerk. I worked there for about 3 years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

Our Word is our Weapon. Stories of revolution and indigenous liberation are shared in a way that feels both personal and for everyone.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

Uncle Iroh from Avatar: The Last Airbender

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

Tú Me Dejaste De Querer by C. Tangana

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

I've struggled with depression my entire adult life. Eventually, I was able to see that it is nothing to be ashamed of nor should it be a taboo topic to discuss, as I was raised to believe. It's much easier to find the support you need when you're in a place where you can talk about and accept what you're going through.

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

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

Ideally, neither office would exist in the way that they do now. These forms of governance are much too centralized to truly represent the will and needs of the people. I believe that much of the power currently in the hands of the state should be passed along to our community.

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

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

As the state's resources, land and power continue to be bought by and consolidated by large corporations, our power as individuals and as a community will continue to diminish. Healthcare will become less affordable, the environment will continue to deteriorate, and poverty will worsen.

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

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

Having political experience makes you comfortable navigating the political world but doesn't necessarily result in better governance.

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

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

Sure, it is always good to form relationships with colleagues. However, I believe that you should build closer relationships with your community.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

Decided by the people via councils made up of residents of the state and then voted on by the entire populous.

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

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

Appropriations, Labor and Business, Local Government, Transportation.

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

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

Only if my community wants me to.

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?

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

Almost every day I talk to people who have lived here most of their lives and still do not have permanent protections to call this their permanent home.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

"Road work ahead? I sure hope it does!" - Drew Gooden on Vine

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

Izaah Knox (D)

I will always put my community first and look forward to building relationships to connect the residents of SD17 more closely with all legislators, including Republicans. I have a history of working on behalf of members of my community to get things done with Republicans. In partnership with Future Ready Iowa, I helped create a successful apprenticeship program targeted to benefit individuals living in 50314 and 50317 at Broadlawns Medical Center. I was appointed to the Governor's FOCUS Committee on Justice Reform which offered excellent recommendations, and I look forward to working on getting these through as our State Senator. Additionally, I am a member of the Minority Unemployment and Outreach Committee led by Debi Durham. I am a bridge-builder. I have a vast amount of experience successfully working with people by engaging in civil discourse and treating people with dignity and respect.

Alejandro Murguia-Ortiz (Independent)

Sure; however, a process of true consensus would result in stronger and more representative decision-making.

See also

More about these elections:

• Iowa State Senate elections, 2022

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