Former Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Nathan Sage says affordability, water quality, healthcare access and frustration with political division could help decide several closely watched Iowa races this November.
During a recent interview with Sioux County Radio, Sage discussed his support for Democratic U.S. Senate nominee and Representative in the Iowa House Josh Turek, the governor’s race, northwest Iowa’s data-center debate and the open Fourth Congressional District contest.
Sage has endorsed Turek following his own Senate campaign. Turek will face Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson and Libertarian Thomas Laehn in the November 3 general election.
Sage Points to Turek’s Bipartisan Approach
Sage said Turek’s experience representing a politically competitive area has taught him the importance of working with people who do not always agree with him.
“You have to be able to work across the aisle. You have to be able to have conversations,” Sage said.
Sage argued that continued political division has prevented the federal government from addressing problems affecting Iowa families. He said voters are looking for elected officials who will represent the state rather than concentrating primarily on party politics.
Sage said affordability was one of the most consistent concerns he heard while traveling through all 99 Iowa counties during his Senate campaign.
“They want affordability. They want this life to be a little bit more affordable, a little bit easier for them to make it in this country and especially in Iowa,” Sage said. “And our economy has been stagnant for a long time.”
He believes the Senate contest could ultimately turn on whether voters think the candidates understand the financial pressures facing working families.
Governor’s Race and Statewide Concerns
Sage also offered his support for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand, praising Sand’s willingness to hold town halls and answer questions from people who disagree with him.
“We don’t need people hiding from town halls. We don’t need people hiding from their constituents,” Sage said. “We need somebody that is going to go to the Capitol, try to do all they can to make things better for Iowans, and be able to do that by having actual conversations with people and not scared to have disagreements.”
Sand will face Republican Zach Lahn in the general election.
Beyond political division, Sage said Iowans repeatedly raised concerns with him about household expenses, water quality and access to healthcare. He said those issues can become especially difficult for rural residents who already travel considerable distances for medical services.
Sage Calls for Greater Data-Center Scrutiny
The interview also turned to the growing debate over data centers in northwest Iowa. Sioux County enacted a one-year moratorium on new data centers and industrial battery-storage facilities in unincorporated areas earlier this summer while county officials consider possible regulations.
Sage said he supported a broader moratorium during his Senate campaign. He expressed concern about the amount of water and electricity some facilities require and whether large projects could place additional pressure on residents’ utility expenses.
“I think government needs to step in and make sure that things are taken care of before we just do this wild, wild West or new frontier of data centers that we’re seeing nonstop,” Sage said.
Sage acknowledged that data-center construction can temporarily create jobs. However, he questioned whether the relatively limited number of permanent positions associated with some facilities would provide enough lasting economic benefit.
He called on state and federal officials to study the potential benefits and drawbacks before allowing development to move forward unchecked.
Fourth District Candidates Compete for Open Seat
The open Fourth Congressional District race, currently held by Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull, will feature Republican Chris McGowan and Democrat Dave Dawson.
Sage said he has spoken with Dawson and previously knocked on doors with him, but acknowledged he does not know Dawson as well as several other Democratic candidates. Sage also said he had not seen polling that would allow him to predict whether Dawson could win the heavily Republican district.
Instead, Sage said Democrats and other candidates should continue visiting northwest Iowa and speaking directly with its residents.
“We need more people willing to go all through northwest Iowa and have these conversations,” Sage said.
Sage said even if Dawson does not flip the seat, a competitive campaign could encourage greater political engagement and more dialogue between voters and candidates from different parties.
The general election will be held Tuesday, November 3.
