Republican Jim Carlin, a candidate for the US Senate, brought his campaign to Sioux Center’s Pizza Ranch as part of his “Stop the Squeeze Tour.” Carlin, a Sioux City attorney with six years of experience in the Iowa House and Senate, is currently campaigning ahead of the June 2nd Republican primary, where he will face incumbent US Congresswoman Ashley Hinson.
Economic Pressures and “The Squeeze”
During the event, Carlin emphasized themes of economic hardship and government overreach. He argued that the size and influence of the federal government have become harmful to the economic interests of middle-class families. Carlin cited figures suggesting that the indirect and direct tax burden has risen from approximately 35 cents per dollar in the 1970s to over 50 cents today.
Legislative Record and Veterans Advocacy
The candidate pointed to his legislative achievements as evidence of his commitment to conservative values, mentioning his involvement in Iowa’s heartbeat bill and legislation concerning active shooters and gender ideology in schools. He also highlighted his work uncovering financial issues within the Iowa Veterans Home and the Veterans Trust Fund.
Contrasts in the Primary Race
Carlin also drew sharp contrasts between himself and Congresswoman Hinson. He criticized the incumbent for receiving a significant portion of her campaign contributions from out-of-state donors and for her votes to send billions in aid to Ukraine while the US southern border remains a concern.
In an interview following the event, Carlin reiterated that his primary motivation for running is the economic and political legacy being left for the next generation. He identified inflation as a critical issue, describing it as a “tax caused by spending money you don’t have.”
Next Stop on the Tour
Following the Sioux Center stop, the “Stop the Squeeze Tour” continued to Storm Lake later that afternoon. Carlin plans to continue visiting several Iowa counties leading up to the June primary election.
