(Atlantic) The Cass County Republican Party hosted an ag-based forum on Monday night at the Cass County Community Center.
Three Republican candidates running in the June 7 primary for the Republican nomination for the 3rd Congressional Seat against Congresswoman Axne, were in attendance including; Zach Nunn, Nicole Sasso, and Gary Leffler. Also in attendance were Troy Bishop representing Senator Grassley and challenger Jim Carlin.
The candidates were asked four questions during the forum and a fifth question afterward. The candidates had the following answers to the question of whether Health Insurance and Liability laws have affected the bottom line of small businesses, and how would the candidates address these issues.
Jim Carlin, State Senator in Iowa’s District #3, running for the U.S. Senate against Chuck Grassley, says health insurance was one-third of the cost before O’Bama Care.
Troy Bishop, representing Chuck Grassley’s Office, says the Senator would approach the high cost of health insurance with a three-prong approach.
Gary Leffler, the 3rd District Congressional Candidate from West Des Moines, is a small business owner who’s paid for their health insurance their entire life. Currently, they have a plan with Blue Cross and Blue Shield costing them $2,500.00 per month with a $1,000 deductible.
Zach Nunn current District #15 Senator from Bondurant, running for the 3rd District Representative, says the most significant business sector in Iowa is small business.
Nicole Sasso of Johnston, running for the 3rd Congressional Republican nomination in the June Primary, says that Iowans can only purchase healthcare within this state, which has to change.
The candidates also addressed the Antitrust issues, specifically with the livestock industry, the high energy costs, and the labor shortage. We will have a series of stories addressing these issues in later newscasts.
The Cass County Republican Party will host another forum covering different topics on May 2.
