Libertarian Candidate Fights for Ballot Spot in Iowa's 3rd District Race
DES MOINES, Iowa - Libertarian congressional candidate Jacob Heard is taking his fight for ballot access to the courts, arguing that Iowa's two major parties are working together to keep third-party voices off the ballot.
Heard, the Libertarian Party's new nominee for Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, spoke at the Iowa State Fair's Political Soapbox on Thursday, telling fairgoers why he believes Iowans deserve more than a two-party choice.
Why Was Heard Kept Off the Ballot?
Heard was selected by the Libertarian State Committee about two weeks ago to replace Marco Battaglia, the original Libertarian candidate who failed to qualify for the ballot after a ruling by the State Objections Panel, later upheld by a Polk County District Court judge.
But when Heard and other Libertarian candidates turned in their nomination papers, the Secretary of State's Office rejected them, saying the proper procedure wasn't filed in time.
“The Secretary of State's Office said that the proper procedure wasn't filed with their office in time, and therefore he's not accepting ... my candidacy as well as the governor and lieutenant governor's candidacy to appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot,” Heard said.
Heard, along with gubernatorial candidate Nicholas Gluba and lieutenant governor candidate Jules Cutler, has filed a petition for a writ of mandamus to force Secretary of State Paul Pate to place their names on the ballot. Heard called the rejection a “novel interpretation” of Iowa code governing how non-party political organizations fill vacancies.
What Are Heard's Priorities for Congress?
Heard, a former legislative analyst for Iowa Senate Republicans and chief of staff to then-Senate President Jake Chapman, said his campaign focuses on constitutional amendments to fix what he calls “our most dysfunctional branch of government.”
- Requiring single-subject bills instead of massive omnibus legislation
- Repealing the 17th Amendment to return U.S. Senate elections to state legislatures
- Forcing Congress to balance the federal budget
- Reining in presidential war powers by pulling back the War Powers Resolution
“Congress is, in my opinion, our most dysfunctional branch of government, both federal and state level,” Heard said.
Heard: Two-Party System Gives Iowans a 'False Choice'
Heard told fairgoers that Iowa's two-party system creates problems regardless of which party holds power. When one party controls state government, he said, the checks and balances disappear.
“That party isn't going to want to embarrass or reduce the power of their governor, so to speak,” Heard said, pointing to Gov. Kim Reynolds' COVID-19 executive orders banning certain gatherings as an example.
He also argued that Iowans are given a “false choice” at the ballot box, making them believe a vote for a third-party candidate is wasted.
“Every Iowan can have a good idea, have a good policy solution, but when you limit it to just Democrats and Republicans, it gives you a false choice and a false idea or premise that there's only two solutions,” Heard said.
What Happens Next in the Ballot Access Fight?
A ruling on the writ of mandamus is expected on Aug. 27. If the case is appealed, Heard said he will argue before the Iowa Supreme Court.
Heard's experience working with Senate Republicans taught him that both major parties are determined to keep their duopoly intact, he said, pointing to the removal of Libertarian candidates from ballots in 2024 as evidence.
“I learned that Iowa Republicans and Democrats agree on one thing — they will remain the only two political parties in Iowa if they can help it,” Heard said.
Who Is Jacob Heard?
Heard is a Libertarian activist with deep experience in Iowa politics. He previously served as chief of staff to former Iowa Senate President Jake Chapman and worked as a legislative analyst for Senate Republicans. His campaign emphasizes limited government, fiscal responsibility, and constitutional reform.
The 3rd District race includes incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn and Democratic challenger Lanon Baccam. Heard's inclusion on the ballot could affect the outcome in a district that leans Republican but has shown competitive tendencies.
This article was written by John Damon for Just The News Iowa.