51st Assembly District
Tyler Schultz, Dennis Polivka, Todd Novak and Ken Rynes are running as Republicans in the Aug. 12 primary. The winner of the primary will face Dick Cates, the only Democrat on the ballot, and Libertarian candidate Adam Laufenberg in the November general election.
Todd Novak
Age: 49
City/town of residence: City of Dodgeville
Family: Two sons, 13 and 16
Education: Attended Southwest Technical College, 1983-1985 (Finance program); Graduate of Iowa-Grant High School-1983
Occupation: Mayor City of Dodgeville, 2012-current; Associate/Government Editor of The Dodgeville Chronicle-1990 on leave since February 2014.
Previous elected positions held or experience: I was elected Mayor of Dodgeville in 2012 receiving 78% of the vote in contested election for the open seat. I was re-elected in 2014 unopposed. Dodgeville doesn't have city administrator or manager. As Mayor of the second largest city in this district, I oversee the day to day operation of the city along with a $7 million budget and mange 130 full and part-time city employees.
What are the top issues facing this district/board and how would you work to resolve them?
I think one of the main issues is property tax relief. Levy limits have done a good job controlling large spikes in property taxes, but I think more can be done. The largest portion of property taxes go to support the schools, however aid to school districts is not equitable across the state. I think now that the state's fiscal house is in order an overhaul of the state aid formula is needed. More aid to schools will put less on the back of property taxpayers. We are very fortunate that the 51st Assembly District has some of the best school districts in the state and our children are our future. Since our district is very rural, I would also advocate more transportation aid for schools, which is currently unequitable.
I also want to focus on repealing onerous regulations so the economy can grow. Over-regulation affects small businesses, farmers and taxpayers. It has a direct impact on the economy and job growth.
What are other key issues facing the district/board, and how would you work to resolve them?
One issue that I feel is very important is continuing the fight against a growing heroin epidemic that has embraced our area. The state legislature did a good job in the last session in addressing the issue, but I think we need to build on that. Heroin is a horribly addicting drug that has caused a spike in the crime rate. There have been many horrific crimes that have occurred in our district that are directly related to drugs and mental illness. We need to give our law enforcement and courts all the tools they need to fight these problems and help the people who need it. As Mayor, I authorized an additional position in the police department to deal specifically with drugs.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
All the candidates running for assembly are great people who have many ideas. Running for this position isn't something that any of us took lightly. However, I'm the only candidate from either party that has the depth of knowledge and experience to move on to the state assembly. As a government editor at the newspaper for the last 24 years, I have covered over 600 school, county and city council meetings. I have an understanding of the issues and challenges facing not only local government but the taxpayers. People expect fiscal responsibility from their elected officials and as Mayor I have a proven record. I've always delivered a balanced budget and in fact we have ended our fiscal year under budget since I have been Mayor. I decided to run for state assembly because I truly enjoy helping people. I believe it's important to serve and help constituents with the issues they have regardless if they voted for you or not. I've always put people before politics and that's something I will take to the statehouse. At my job at the newspaper and as Mayor I have always held local government accountable to the people. If I'm elected to the assembly I will continue that and hold state government accountable to the people. It's because of this philosophy that I have earned the endorsement of many local elected officials across the district along with Iowa County Sheriff Steve Michek, Lafayette County Sheriff Scott Pedley and former Assemblyman Brett Davis. I'm not running for this position because I need a job or want to make a career change. I'm running because it's an extension of what I already do and that's serve the taxpayers and people.
Age: 49
City/town of residence: City of Dodgeville
Family: Two sons, 13 and 16
Education: Attended Southwest Technical College, 1983-1985 (Finance program); Graduate of Iowa-Grant High School-1983
Occupation: Mayor City of Dodgeville, 2012-current; Associate/Government Editor of The Dodgeville Chronicle-1990 on leave since February 2014.
Previous elected positions held or experience: I was elected Mayor of Dodgeville in 2012 receiving 78% of the vote in contested election for the open seat. I was re-elected in 2014 unopposed. Dodgeville doesn't have city administrator or manager. As Mayor of the second largest city in this district, I oversee the day to day operation of the city along with a $7 million budget and mange 130 full and part-time city employees.
What are the top issues facing this district/board and how would you work to resolve them?
I think one of the main issues is property tax relief. Levy limits have done a good job controlling large spikes in property taxes, but I think more can be done. The largest portion of property taxes go to support the schools, however aid to school districts is not equitable across the state. I think now that the state's fiscal house is in order an overhaul of the state aid formula is needed. More aid to schools will put less on the back of property taxpayers. We are very fortunate that the 51st Assembly District has some of the best school districts in the state and our children are our future. Since our district is very rural, I would also advocate more transportation aid for schools, which is currently unequitable.
I also want to focus on repealing onerous regulations so the economy can grow. Over-regulation affects small businesses, farmers and taxpayers. It has a direct impact on the economy and job growth.
What are other key issues facing the district/board, and how would you work to resolve them?
One issue that I feel is very important is continuing the fight against a growing heroin epidemic that has embraced our area. The state legislature did a good job in the last session in addressing the issue, but I think we need to build on that. Heroin is a horribly addicting drug that has caused a spike in the crime rate. There have been many horrific crimes that have occurred in our district that are directly related to drugs and mental illness. We need to give our law enforcement and courts all the tools they need to fight these problems and help the people who need it. As Mayor, I authorized an additional position in the police department to deal specifically with drugs.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
All the candidates running for assembly are great people who have many ideas. Running for this position isn't something that any of us took lightly. However, I'm the only candidate from either party that has the depth of knowledge and experience to move on to the state assembly. As a government editor at the newspaper for the last 24 years, I have covered over 600 school, county and city council meetings. I have an understanding of the issues and challenges facing not only local government but the taxpayers. People expect fiscal responsibility from their elected officials and as Mayor I have a proven record. I've always delivered a balanced budget and in fact we have ended our fiscal year under budget since I have been Mayor. I decided to run for state assembly because I truly enjoy helping people. I believe it's important to serve and help constituents with the issues they have regardless if they voted for you or not. I've always put people before politics and that's something I will take to the statehouse. At my job at the newspaper and as Mayor I have always held local government accountable to the people. If I'm elected to the assembly I will continue that and hold state government accountable to the people. It's because of this philosophy that I have earned the endorsement of many local elected officials across the district along with Iowa County Sheriff Steve Michek, Lafayette County Sheriff Scott Pedley and former Assemblyman Brett Davis. I'm not running for this position because I need a job or want to make a career change. I'm running because it's an extension of what I already do and that's serve the taxpayers and people.