May, Chambers look ahead to 2009 session

A pair of incumbent legislators emerged from uncontested races for another two-year term in the Iowa House of Representatives.

Republicans Mike May, of Spirit Lake, and Royd Chambers, of Sheldon, both said they were keeping an eye on other Iowa House races around the state on election night.

Democrats had a 53-47 edge over Republicans in the Iowa House of Representatives after the 2006 election cycle. Democrats also controlled the Iowa Senate and Gov. Chet Culver is a Democrat.

"We're even hoping that, maybe, we can take over control of the Iowa House," Chambers said. "Things will have to break our way in a couple of tight races in order to do that, but it is a possibility."

Chambers is a teacher in the Sheldon School District and member of the Iowa Air National Guard. He serves on the Appropriation, Education, Labor and Veteran's Affairs policy committees. He also serves as ranking member of the Education Appropriations subcommittee.

With his win Tuesday night, Chambers will begin his fourth term in the Iowa House in January. He serves District 5, which includes a portion of eastern Sioux County, all of Osecola and O'Brien Counties as well as parts of Clay County west and south of Spencer.

"I'm very appreciative of everybody's vote and their support," Chambers said. "I hope the fact that I don't have an opponent -- I didn't have one two years ago, and I don't have one this year -- I hope that's a testament to how well I am representing the district."

May gained a third term in the Iowa House serving District 6, where he represents all of Dickinson county and the northeast corner of Clay county, which includes Spencer.

"I represent the most marvelous district in the state of Iowa," May said. "By all measures, I am blessed to be able to do that. For the folks to give me another opportunity means a great deal to me. I couldn't be happier."

May said the state budget will be one of his top priorities when he returns to Des Moines. He serves as the ranking member of the House Education Committee and also serves on the Economic Growth and Transportation Committees as well as the Education Appropriations Subcommittee.

"It looks to me like we're about $500 million overspent, so we have some huge challenges in terms of the budget itself," May said. "We'll have some important labor issues that we'll have to deal with.

May and Chambers are concerned about Iowa's status as a right-to-work state.

"Since the 1970s, Iowa has been a right-to-work state meaning workers do not have to join a union if they don't want to," Chambers said. "If you take away that, what it effectively means is: Unions can basically force people to join the union or they can charge non-union members a fee. It essentially destroys the concept of not having to join a union if you don't want to. That's an important issue because, statistics show, that every state that is a right-to-work state has a better economy."

The 83rd Iowa General Assembly will convene Monday, Jan. 12.

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Clay County

Mike May (R): 4,688

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