Two candidates are running to represent House District 94 in Des Moines: Howard Hubbard, a Republican from Floris, is challenging incumbent state Rep. Kurt Swaim, D-Bloomfield.

“Jobs and the economy are uppermost in everyone’s mind,” said Swaim. “We’ve got to continue the effort to bring good-paying jobs to southern Iowa. We want to continue to reward hard work and people who play by the rules. That’s a solid value in Iowa. Every day, folks find it harder and harder to make it. I [hope] people realize I’m on their side in trying to increase the quality of life for middle-class Iowans — and of expanding the middle class to include more of those on the lower rungs of the economic ladder into that [success].”

That’s also why Swaim said we must give Iowa students “a world-class education. More than ever, we need an education system that will prepare our kids for a world economy.”

On the other hand, he said, it’s important not to rely so much on the rest of the world for oil.

“In the past, we’ve made a real effort to make Iowa an energy independent state. We want to continue with that,” Swaim said.

He wants lawmakers in Des Moines to look at local problems, too.

“Our county roads and bridges are needing some help, and we need to make a real commitment in that area,” Swaim said.

Swaim currently chairs the House judiciary committee. He also serves on the government oversight, ag, transportation and public safety committees.

Hubbard, meanwhile, became involved in politics when he chaired the campaign for former Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson in Davis County. He said he knows what working-class people are going through.

“We’ve got too many doctors and lawyers in there, and not enough people from the common ranks. I’ve worked a lot of jobs around here — meat cutter, foundry worker and, for a short time, I ran my own lawn care business.”

Hubbard said he has talked to many local citizens.

“A lot of them are upset about the smoking ban and feel it’s the start of taking away our choices,” he said. “It’s a personal freedom.”

Hubbard said he is against “big government” telling the populace what to do.

“We’ve let too many of these nanny-state regulations intrude,” he said. “The state mandating the [school] curriculum is another issue facing us. They’re trying to do away with home schooling, and I’m very much in favor of allowing home schooling.”

Hubbard said he also doesn’t want the federal government dictating to the states.