Only a few days remain until Election Day, and Rick Stewart, the Libertarian Party’s nominee for Iowa Governor, is making one last appeal to voters before they cast their ballots on Nov. 8. Stewart’s name has appeared on statewide ballots several times in recent elections, including for U.S. Senate in 2020 and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture in 2018. He says his primary goal in running for multiple offices is to boost the Libertarian Party’s profile in Iowa.
According to Stewart, Iowans have grown tired of the endless back and forth between Republicans and Democrats. He says voters deserve better than choosing between two parties that do not have their best interests in mind. Stewart says his principles match nicely with Iowa’s motto, “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.” According to him, their party’s name illustrates their commitment to individual liberties.
Stewart was a former Maquoketa police officer, so he is an ardent supporter of law enforcement. However, he says too much of their attention is directed toward issues not concerning public safety.
Stewart adds that the government’s role is not to be involved in its citizens’ day-to-day lives, including education. Stewart says parents should be able to choose who is teaching their child, especially if they are unhappy with their local public school options.
Stewart says the war on drugs is more than just a failure; it stifles what he considers potentially life-saving treatments. He says MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has shown promise for reducing instances of suicide and depression in soldiers after they return home, and he would like this form of treatment available in Iowa. The other candidates in the Iowa governor race include Republican incumbent Kim Reynolds and Democrat Deidre DeJear.
