Essential Estrogen

If you meet Sharon Savage walking down the street go ahead and shout "Go, Granny, Go." While this greeting may earn you a firm smack with a handbag in a difference instance, with Savage -- the Democratic candidate for Senate District 40 -- it's likely to result in a wide grin and a thumbs up.

"I think this district is in need of someone who has a fresh approach," said Savage, who's quick to point to her two sons and one granddaughter when describing why she's tossed her hat in the ring. "We need someone who can approach decision-making from a different viewpoint that's based on rich life experiences. That's what I've got -- a multitude and broad range of life experience that I know I can use for the betterment of the people in this district and for the state as a whole."

The district, which includes all of Cedar County and portions of Muscatine and Johnson counties, has been served since 2004 by Republican Jim Hahn, a real estate and insurance salesman. Prior to Hahn the seat was held for 28 years by Republican Dick Drake, a Navy veteran that most in Des Moines knew as "Commander." Drake died in 2007.

The population distribution of the district has changed drastically since the turn of the century, primarily due to a large and growing Latino population in Muscatine County. Overall, Latinos make up 13.5 percent of the population in the county. When the lens is narrowed to the community of West Liberty, however, 41 percent of residents are Latino. The county and community boast one of the highest Latino population percentages in the entire state. Savage describes the diversity of the population as a challenge, but mostly an opportunity.

"I think I can better serve that segment of the population because I believe I'm more likely to listen and speak with them," she said. "Through my experience as an individual and family therapist, I learned family assessment and needs assessment. I believe that experiences places me in a good position to help assess what the needs are and to work to find solutions to those needs."

Health care, education and environment are issues, she said, that cross ethnic and economic boundaries. Because of that, she believes these are issues that should cross party boundaries as well.

"Health care -- particularly for children -- but also for people of all ages needs to be affordable," Savage said. "I've taught part-time at Muscatine Community College for several years and I'm also concerned about what I see happening with Iowa students. They carry an increasing load of debt and they have difficulty in obtaining health care. Iowa students hare having a difficult time getting through school and making ends meet. Many of them [upon graduation] feel they need to leave our state because they can't afford to stay here and pay off the educational debt they've acquired. Given a choice, I believe most recent graduates and families would prefer to find decent jobs and remain here."

Because of recent, more strict requirements, air quality is an issue that is already having an impact on the area.

"We're not having an issue because the area has become more polluted, but because standards have changed," Savage said. "We are no longer where we need to be in terms of air quality, and, I'm sure, there will be meetings in the future so that residents can develop a community action plan and return to a level of compliance."

Savage, 61, believes her experience as a social worker and therapist make her the best choice to help forge solutions.

"Because of my training, I have more of an emphasis on trying to work with both sides of any issue to reach a resolution," she said. "I see a real need for legislators who are able to do that, especially if we want to stall some of the problems we have currently. I think that we need to be able to work together and to reach across party lines and ideological boundaries. [Hahn] is not so inclined."

Although the area has had some women serve as mayors or on city councils, it hasn't been as generous in electing women to serve in state roles. In spite of that, Savage is optimistic.

"I'm thinking that [my gender] might play a role in the election. And I'm hopeful that it will in a good way," she said. "I'm a grandmother. I've been a mother. I'm a wife. Women have such rich backgrounds to draw from and I think those experiences give us just a little bit different slant on issues. I don't think I should be elected because I am a woman, but I do think that a woman's viewpoint adds something to the discussion and to the conversation. That's value-added information that needs to be included. We've had very few women in the Iowa Senate and it would be a benefit, I think, to increase those numbers and make the Capitol a little more representative of our population."

Above all else, Savage believes that state government should be representative of the people.

"I strongly believe that our Legislature needs to reflect us," she said. "Those serving cannot help solve our problems and help deal with our life struggles if they've not had some exposure to the way we live. I'm one of those people that is, you know, pretty much like everyone else you know. That is, I've been there. I pretty much know what people are living through and dealing with. I think that's an asset."

In addition to her previous experience in social work and being an adjunct professor at Muscatine Community College, Savage and her husband, Tom, own and operate Books n' More in Muscatine. She's partial owner of an Iowa Century Farm in Salem that has been in her family since the 1870s. Before beginning her campaign, she co-hosted a talk show on Muscatine's KWPC radio and published a weekly column in the Muscatine Journal.

Savage has been very active in the Muscatine community, stepping down earlier this year as president of the Greater Downtown Muscatine Association. She remains an active member with the group, along with the local Chamber of Commerce, symphony board, League of Women Voters, Foster Grandparents Review Board and other civic organizations. She currently serves as co-president of the Muscatine County Arts Council.

"I'm really excited about this new opportunity," Savage said before quickly ticking off details of an upcoming fundraiser. "I'm now at a point in my life where I have the time and energy available to focus completely on getting tasks done for this district."