The Representative's representative

(Photo submitted) Nancy McDowell displays a framed print of Psalm 91 and a folded American flag. Her boss, District 5 Rep. Royd Chambers has been deployed to central Asia and first session of the 83rd General Assembly. She's remained in contact with constituents while he is away.

State Rep. Royd Chambers has answered the call of duty this winter.

Nancy McDowell answered a lot of calls.

And a lot of letters.

And a lot of e-mails.

Less than a month after he was elected to his fourth term, Chambers learned he would be unable to serve House District 5 in the first session of the 83rd General Assembly. The Iowa Air National Guard member was deployed to Manas Air Base, which is located in the central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan.

"Basically, if you hear of any personnel being sent to Afghanistan, they land at that base first," McDowell explained.

As Chambers' clerk in the Iowa House, McDowell hears all sides of an issue -- she just can't apply the knowledge to a vote. Her task is focused and important: Make sure Chambers' constituents feel connected, even through their representative is thousands of miles away.

The Republican, a government teacher from Sheldon, has missed the weekend town hall meetings back home. He's missed the legislative caucuses with fellow Republicans. Visitors from District 5 still stop by to see McDowell, but the professional advocates-for-pay look elsewhere for their last scraps of legislative support.

A TURBULENT SESSION

McDowell has made her way through the nearly completed session with the help of some neighbors in the House chamber. Ask Chambers and District 4 Rep. Dwayne Alons the same question and an Iowan is likely to get matching answers from the men: Alons, from Hull, lives less than 20 miles away from Chambers. Like Chambers, he's a conservative Republican with a military background.

McDowell also gets help from Alons' wife, Clarice, who clerks for her husband and sits next to McDowell in the chamber. The three, along with other state representatives and senators from northwest Iowa, have worked together to keep Chambers and his constituents updated throughout the session.

At the session's start, McDowell's e-mails to Chambers talked about the lagging process as the House waited for budget targets to be released.

"I did have some administrative questions for him concerning official paperwork each representative needs to fill out each year," McDowell said.

As the session creeps to a conclusion, McDowell tries to update Chambers at the end of each week, with a rundown of the most relevant developments.

"We know he has to serve there," Rep. Alons said. "He's doing a very important thing overseas, but we do miss his camaraderie and just being a neighbor here right in the row. We can sometimes deal with things together because of the close proximity of Sioux County and Lyon County with his district. A lot of issues are very similar for us to deal with."

Like the rest of the nation, Iowa is trying to sort out the state budget amid an economic crisis. The floods of 2008 caused cataclysmic damage in eastern and central parts of the state. Democrats in the majority have considered labor reforms that could improve the quality of life for workers -- conservatives say it would eliminate Iowa as a potential location for expanding industries.

Then, on April 3, the Iowa Supreme Court added an explosive social issue that without a doubt caught the attention of the military chaplain in Kyrgyzstan: The high court issued a unanimous ruling that a state law limiting marriage to a man and a woman violates the constitutional rights of equal protection.

The ruling opens the door for gays and lesbians to exchange vows in the heartland as soon as April 24. One process to amend the constitution begins with the Iowa Legislature. Lobbying has been intense from both sides of the issue.

"This is my 10th year and I don't think I have ever had as many as I have this year," Clarice Alons said of the messages coming in to the Iowa House. "A lot of them are new people in our district contacting (us), and I'm sure Nancy is having that same thing."

UP TO THE TASK

McDowell's degree from the University of Northern Iowa is in criminology, but her political chops run in the family. Younger brother, Don McDowell, is a press secretary for Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley.

The McDowells grew up in Archer, a small O'Brien County town southeast of Sheldon. Nancy graduated in 2000. Don followed, four years later.

"I think what helps was: Rep. Chambers was her government teacher at Sheldon High School," Don McDowell said. "I think when the opportunity arose -- him having an opening and needing a clerk -- he asked her."

Nancy McDowell moved to West Des Moines in January 2006 to work for Chambers, whose district 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.

"We've grown quite a bond and admiration for each other through these several months we are here together," she said. "It is definitely quieter. Royd and I would often sit here together during evening debates and he'd fill me in on what all the bills were about. I learn so much from him when he is here, because of his knowledge on the issues and the detailed information they receive at caucus meetings."

She's also enjoyed the added responsibility and direct contact with constituents this session.

"I feel much more involved in the process and responsible since I cannot ask Royd questions on issues," she said.

Her years growing up in the 5th District have reduced the learning curve. She knows many of the people, schools, organizations and businesses who contact Chambers in Des Moines.

"There aren't too many clerks, I must say, who would be that involved and politically-minded as she is," Clarice Alons said. "He's really been blessed to have her."

When the Legislature is not in session, McDowell works for a small pay phone service provider in Clive.

"But I'm always looking to get more into politics -- which more openings would come available if Republicans gained power come election time," she said.

She's also trying to find ways to apply that criminology major, but again, criminal justice programs rely on state funding. The political landscape dictates her future.

When the new opportunity arises, references shouldn't be a problem.

"I think she's done a very good job," Don McDowell said. "I know she's shared with me that she's gotten a lot of 'thanks.' Folks understand that Rep. Chambers is serving our country. She's done a good job."

A SAFE RETURN

"I am still working daily in the Capitol as his clerk and can assist you with any concerns and questions you might have," McDowell recently wrote, in a legislative update that would normally come from her boss.

She doesn't want the constituents to forget; she doesn't either: McDowell keeps a folded flag and a framed copy of Psalm 91 near her desk while Chambers is away.

"I know he wanted to be here this session," she said. "The timing of his deployment was unpredictable and I know many have commented that his hard work and contributions have been missed. But many representatives have offered help if I need it, especially Rep. Alons and his wife Clarice. They have really stepped in to really be a great help with any questions I have on issues."

Help also comes in bits from Chambers. His replies are usually short and informative -- the mission overseas is his primary responsibility and he cannot be directly involved in politics while actively deployed.

Until his return, Alons, the neighboring lawmaker, says the office is in good hands.

"I really take my hat off to her for remaining so dedicated when the boss isn't physically present," he said.