Iowa House of Representatives

Cayla Baresel was born in Dubuque, Iowa, but is a native of Maquoketa. She grew up in a single-parent household with one older sister, Crystal. Her parents divorced when she was very young, and Cayla and her sister saw their father every other weekend, so their mother basically raised them on her own. It was sometimes a challenge for her mother, having three women in the same household, but she did an excellent job working two jobs throughout most of Cayla’s childhood.

When Cayla got to high school, she worked at a restaurant called Flap Jack’s Family Restaurant and was very active in athletics. She graduated from Maquoketa High School in 2003. Right after graduation, she went to Wartburg College, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with a minor in English literature. (more…)

John Beard resides in Pleasant Township with his wife, RoJene, who is a teacher in Decorah schools; and his 15-year-old son, Chance, who attends Decorah High School. John’s brother, Daniel, is a full-time organic dairy/beef producer, and his family lives on an adjoining farm. His sister, Barbara Kraus, is a veterinarian and produce farmer, and her family also lives close by. (more…)

Sharon Steckman is a longtime resident of Mason City. She was born in Chicago, Ill., and grew up in Arizona, Colo., and Nebraska. As an adult, before choosing to settle in Mason City, she lived in Ithaca, New York; Detroit and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mason City has been her home since 1976, and it’s where she raised her two boys, Jon and Matthew Pete. Sharon’s involvement and support in her children’s community activities was always paramount, and she served on the board of the Mason City Swim Club and the Mason City Youth Hockey Association. (more…)

Randall Rainer was born in May 1957 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He attended grade school in Fayette, Iowa, and Pine Island, Minn. He also attended school in Leon, Iowa, and in 1975 he graduated with honors from Adel/Desoto High School in Adel, Iowa. In school, Randall was active in sports and music, winning the John Phillip Sousa Award of Excellence. He was also involved in speech, debate and drama, where he was selected his school’s “Best Actor” his senior year. Randall was an Eagle Scout, a Brotherhood Member in the Order of the Arrow and a God and Country award recipient. (more…)

Ann Fairchild
3424 Dogwood Ave.
Fertile, IA 50343
641-797-2221

Ann Fairchild, of Fertile, is a production assembler at Fleetguard in Lake Mills. She is also a community leader; people often approach her to speak up on their behalf.

During her 15 years at Fleetguard, Ann has held many different positions: set-up operator, fork truck operator and assembly line floater. She has been a part of many teams, one of which saved the company $105,000 with a cost-saving idea. Ann has also worked for Winnebago Industries, RV Transport and Capt. K’s Ice Cream. (more…)

Susan Radke
63855 250th St.
Nevada, IA 50201
515-450-9548
voteradke@yahoo.com
www.voteradke.com

Nevada resident Susan Radke grew up on her family’s century farm in Forest City, Iowa, where she learned the values of faith in God, hard work, honesty and concern for others. The second of five children, Susan worked summers at Winnebago Industries to pay her college tuition and earned a bachelor’s degree in social work in 1972 from the University of Iowa.

As an Iowa Department of Human Services social worker, Susan investigated child abuse cases and worked with foster children and families. She helped the elderly and their families as a medical social worker. Susan is currently employed at Iowa State University in the Naval Science Department (Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps). She is also vice president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 96. Susan will receive her master’s degree in industrial relations in May 2008. (more…)

James Van Bruggen
james.van.bruggen@gmail.com

James Van Bruggen grew up in George, Iowa. He spent his childhood there, attending George/Little Rock community schools from kindergarten until high school graduation. After his time in George, James attended Iowa State University. His time at ISU was influential: He was taught by some of the best educators in all of Iowa, found an outlet for his passion for public work and met his future wife, Kellee.

After graduation, James went to work in the Iowa House of Representatives. He later sat on the board of directors for Hemophilia of Iowa. As a child, James always admired the dedication and service of our soldiers. As he got older, he realized that he would be barred from service because he has hemophilia. (more…)

T.J. Templeton
326 Third Ave S.E.
Le Mars, IA 51031
712-541-2966
tj4staterep@gmail.com

T.J. Templeton is a resident of Le Mars who hails from Kansas City, Mo. Bringing his self-started, grassroots activist network to Plymouth County, he’s been able to tap into the needs of the community while being bolstered by the national support base of his organization.

T.J. founded and currently directs the Project for the Old American Century. The organization serves as an Internet-based news outlet, media archive and online community that focuses on corporate and government corruption. Before his work with the project, T.J. co-owned a small business and worked as a retail store manager and a factory laborer. This work history has given him the perspective and values of the common workingperson. He knows what it’s like to live from paycheck to paycheck while trying to afford health care and education. (more…)