Last Thursday, before a blizzard blew into the area, several Wright County Republicans gathered in the cozy home of Peggy O’Neill in Clarion. The group of concerned citizens was happy to welcome candidate Bret Richards to town. Richards is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Iowa's 4th Congressional District.
The congressional seat Richards is seeking is currently occupied by Republican Steve King. Richards is one of multiple Republicans running against King in the June 2 primary. He dropped by Clarion last week to introduce himself to area voters and take a look around town.
Richards is from Irwin, Iowa and touts himself as an alternative to a career politician. This is in fact his first time running for a major political office. He graduated with degrees from the University of Iowa and then Bellevue University where he gained a Ph.D. in human capital management. Richards is also an Army veteran, having served in the 90s. He then returned to Iowa to run and eventually expand the family convenience store business. In the past, he served as mayor of Irwin and as an adjunct professor at Creighton University in Omaha.
While visiting with the small but enthusiastic group at O’Neill’s home, Richards shared his goals and answered questions about his position on issues. He noted that he espouses “rural values” and is running for office “because our way of life is in danger.” He explained multiple times that the big problem in Washington is career politicians with no term limits that have lost their connection to small-town values.
Richards seemed to count incumbent Steve King among these career politicians that are the root of the problem. While he did not spend much time criticizing the incumbent, he made it clear that he thinks a change is in order for the party. He noted that people, “want to be governed by their peers, not the people who think they are our betters.”
One of the issues that multiple people questioned Richards on was immigration. He was firm that all borders need to be secured and system for Visas needs to be revamped to allow the right people into the country.
He was also questioned about energy issues. As a big ethanol proponent, Richards explained his parents were the first to sell ethanol in Shelby County in the late 70s. He said that he has called for the resignation of EPA Administrator Wheeler for going back on his promise regarding ethanol blending and pointed out what he views as problems with small refinery waivers that have been granted by President Trump.
Richards did position himself as a strong Trump supporter and spoke against the president’s recent impeachment, which he called “a crock.” He spoke about what he sees as government corruption at other levels though, including concerning former FBI Director James Comey.
Various people attending the event including O’Neill herself had previously met Richards and are happy to support him. She asserted, “I am concerned about who we have representing us now and I like Bret’s agenda. I think he has good values and a sound background.” County Republican Jackie Thompson who was also in attendance supports Richards as well. Having lived in D.C. for many years when her husband worked in high-level government positions, Thompson stressed that Richards’ candidacy is important because King is damaged in the eyes of Republicans and there is no way to heal that.
Richards for his part knows it will be a tough battle. He insists they do have a “path to victory, even though it might be small.” Though he only needed 1,800 signatures to get on the ballot, he affirms this campaign has gathered over 4,000 to date and visited 30 county fairs last year.
Richards and several others in the group moved on from O’Neill’s house to eat lunch downtown at Grounded and then took a tour of the Wright County Courthouse where he answered more questions. Though he has a long path ahead of him before the June primary, Richards is hopeful about his future, emphasizing, “We really can win if we get in front of the right people.”
