Two announce candidacy for Iowa House District 56

Mark Thompson

Contributed by Mark I. Thompson, Candidate for Iowa House District 56

Our State’s motto is “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.” In order for us to live up to that motto we must ALL be more deeply involved in our democratic republic. As for myself, I have chosen to pursue the Republican nomination for House Seat 56, encompassing Hancock and Humboldt Counties along with a large portion of Wright County.

I have chosen this path due to my concern for the erosion of those rights and liberties. The U.S. Constitution stipulates the federal government’s authorities are derived from those who (legally) vote. The Constitution also clearly states that those authorities not granted to the federal government belong to the individual states. Many of us have been lulled into thinking that the federal government may dictate many aspects of our lives. Nothing could be further from the truth.

After growing up on a farm outside of Eagle Grove, I became a Marine and served 20 years in the Infantry and Reconnaissance. I went on to serve another 18 years in counterterrorism, most of which were in a leadership role. That service included being deployed to over 60 nations, many of which were very remote and poor. At the time, I often shook my head at the corruption and the lack of opportunities those citizens endured. I am now concerned about similar problems in the United States. My service was cut short when I testified before Congress regarding our nation’s anemic response to the terrorist attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya.

My wife and I had decided to move back to Iowa long before my testimony, and while the timing of our return did not seem ideal, we are grateful for the opportunity to reintegrate into the community in which we were raised; and for that we feel very blessed.

The Iowa House of Representatives has done an admirable job of defending our rights and liberties, but there is more to do. I want to be part of the vigilance it will take to provide our citizens opportunities unfettered by government overreach. I think I am well-suited for being part of a conservative team to lead that effort. My experience includes leading people of vastly different backgrounds and cultures in highly stressful crisis response missions in austere environments.

None of us can remain silent and uninvolved. Those who would deny us our God-given rights thrive when we remain passive. We should ALL be reminded, that WE ARE the people we’ve been waiting for.

As I now seek the challenge and honor of serving the citizens of this new house district, I respectfully request your support in the June primary.

Jim Nelson

Jim Nelson of Britt recently announced his candidacy for the Iowa House of Representatives for District 56 which will Humboldt, Hancock and about 2/3 of Wright Counties.

"Our district has been honored to have been represented by the Honorable Terry Baxter for the past few years. With Representative Baxter not seeking re-election this year I have a desire to continue the conservative job that he has done during his tenure so I am seeking the nomination to run in the June 7th primary as a Republican candidate for the position. I have 3 years' experience on the West Hancock Community School Board and have enjoyed being elected Mayor of the City of Britt to serve a total of 14 years. I have also served on the board of Britt Industrial Development Corporation for several years and am currently president of the BRITT Group, a group whose goal is Beautifying, Restoring, Investing Today and Tomorrow. Our group is currently working on restoring a former bank building in Britt that is too beautiful to tear down. For most of the last 40 years I have been on the Hancock County Central Committee of the Republican Party and served as its chairman twice for a total of 7 1/2 years."

"My goal is to keep Iowa solvent and continue the practice of not spending more than we take in. I am very much in favor of more local control of our schools, including curriculum. I would like to explore the possibility of financing our school totally with in-state monies to keep the federal government from mandating any policies for our schools. The vaccine mandates are a hot topic now, and rightfully so. I am against any state or employee vaccine mandates and I am against any mask mandates except in areas involving healthcare. I am a longtime advocate against abortions and I earnestly pledge to work very hard to stop abortions and to stop any human trafficking in Iowa. Human trafficking has become the #1 illegal business in the world and it is time we pay very close attention to it and appoint more of our great law enforcement officials to work to resolve the issue."

Jim is retired after working in the utilities locating industry for 19 years. He was also in the insurance and investment business for 16 years and was owner of Nelson Carpentry for several years. Jim is an avid reader and studies history, biographies, Christian history, and reads the Bible at least once a year. He also enjoys teaching an adult Sunday School class at the Evangelical Free Church in Britt. He is a graduate of Britt High School and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Buena Vista University with a degree in Human Resource Management. After high school, Jim served 3 years in the Army Security Agency with one year in Viet Nam and was awarded a Bronze Star during that year tour. Jim is currently on the Veterans Commission of Hancock County and is dedicated to doing what is necessary and needed to keep our veterans taken care of.

Peggy Nelson and Jim have been married for 46 years and have 4 children, 9 grandkids, and 2 great-grandkids that they enjoy very much. They have lived in the Britt area their entire married life and enjoy the swimming pool and golf course as well as the area fishing spots.