Essential Estrogen

There was never a doubt in Susan Radke's mind that she would make a second bid as a Democrat in typically progressive Iowa House District 10. Only 680 votes out of more than 12,000 cast separated Radke and current Republican incumbent Dave Deyoe when they faced off for the open seat in 2006. But before she can fully return her attention to the candidate she's already faced, she has two hurdles to jump: Josh Eaton and Sam Juhl. The men are also Democratic candidates vying to appear on the November ballot and opponents Radke must face in a June primary.

Eaton is a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Juhl, a student at Des Moines Area Community College, received national attention in 2005 when he was elected mayor of Roland at age 18. Radke, a resident of Nevada, Iowa, and vice president of the local American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, says she doesn't know of any specific reasons or issues that led the other two Democrats to run for the seat.

"I guess you'd have to ask them," she said. "I know [Juhl] feels that students should be better represented. I've also met Eaton, but have only spoken with him briefly. I can tell you, however, that we are all in agreement that someone from the Democratic ticket would represent the people of this district -- their values and their goals -- better than our Republican opponent has and will."

Deyoe, also a Nevada resident, was first elected to the House seat in 2006 when then-Republican incumbent Jim Kurtenbach left to launch an unsuccessful bid for an open seat in the Iowa Senate. The Senate seat was vacated by Stew Iverson, the current chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa. Kurtenbach lost the Senate bid to Democrat Rich Olive.

Radke was initially encouraged to run for the House Seat by Johnie Hammond, a woman who served the Story County area for more than 20 years. Hammond served eight years in the Iowa Senate, 12 years in the Iowa House of Representatives and four years on the Story County Board of Supervisors.

"Johnie was serving on the Board of Supervisors when I first met her. I thought she was just a fantastic role model -- a great woman, who wasn't afraid to speak her mind," Radke said. "She thought things and issues through very thoroughly, and, when she made decisions, she did so with the best interests of her constituents in mind. When she was elected to the House and then to the Senate, I followed her career there too. She called me a few years ago and asked me to run. At that point, I thought Kurtenbach would be my opponent and I knew he'd be a formidable one. Still, I felt -- and still feel -- that the people in District 10 could be better represented by a Democrat."

Less than 24 hours after learning that she lost to Deyoe by 680 votes, Radke received a phone call that solidified her resolve to make another bid for the House seat.

"The day after the election, Sen. Tom Harkin phoned and told me that I had to run again," she said. "He said that I just needed to reach a few more people and gather a few more votes. So, with his encouragement, I decided to give it another try."

Radke, who grew up working on a Century Farm in Forest City, believes the people in District 10 are ready for change and that her life experiences will help bring needed reform in the areas of education, health care, renewable energy and the environment.

"I just thought it was criminal when I learned that Iowa was 42nd in the United States for teacher pay," she said. "Teachers have so much responsibility and our children are in their care for so many hours each day that I really thought they should be better paid. I'm also concerned about the early childhood development programs that are available for children. I know that our children learn so much in those early years and that a strong foundation is important for success in their later years. Early childhood development programs are essential for our state."

Radke said because of her own children's higher education, she knows firsthand about the costs of continuing education.

"With my own children, I saw the cost of tuition going up and up," she said. "I really think higher education -- not just colleges and universities, but vocational training too -- needs to be affordable for our young people in Iowa. Each person is different and each one benefits from different training. Because of that, I do think both the vocational and college training after high school are important and that we need to support those programs."

Both growing up on a farm and the influence of her husband, Jerry, a retired soil physicist who is seeking a third term on the Story County Soil and Water Conservation Commission, have sparked her interest in renewable energy and protecting Iowa's environment.

"I think, because I worked on the farm, I have a love for our land and soil," she said. "I know what a valuable resource we have and I know how hard farmers work. Of course, going to the gas station and filling the tank just takes a huge bite out of everyone's budget. I think we need to focus on renewable technology so that we can become energy independent.

"When I was a child, we use to go fishing in Clear Lake. We'd catch bullheads and Dad would throw them on the grill. We ate those fish without thinking twice. Now, I'm not sure whether or not you can eat the fish you catch in Clear Lake. It really worries me that our streams, rivers and lakes are becoming polluted. It also worries me that our air has become polluted as well. I think we have a responsibility to protect our environment for the next generation."

Radke is thankful for the district's history of promoting women to positions of power. Because of that history and women like former Sen. Johnie Hammond, Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell and Rep. Lisa Heddens, who have already served, she doesn't feel that her gender played a role in the last election or will play a role in the upcoming election either. But she also acknowledges that her gender, as well as her life experiences, are a part of who she is as a person and who she will be as a state representative.

"We all bring to public service what we know," she said. "I worked as an Iowa Department of Human Services social worker, investigating child abuse cases and working with foster families and children. I also worked with the elderly and their families as a medical social worker. Mostly, I worked with families that didn't have health insurance and I think that there is no excuse for all Iowans not to have access to affordable, accessible health care. I think that can be done. I think we need to do it gradually. We need to be fiscally responsible while we do it, but we can do it.

"When we make policy decisions, those decisions are reflected by our values and beliefs. The people in this district are interested in health care and education. Most here were happy that the ban on stem cell research was reversed. I believe my values and principles are a good match with this district and that I would best serve them."

What about those 700 votes?

"I've just got to get out there and meet as many people as I can," she said with a soft laugh. "I've got to work even harder this time, listening to as many people as possible so that I know the issues they are concerned about, learning what they want me to take down to Des Moines. Our middle class is struggling and they deserve better. They deserve a government that will work together to solve the issues we face."