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Guthrie Center Today
By the People, for the People
Iowa House District 47 Democratic Candidate Speaks at Rotary Club
Charley Newman outlines his platform focused on economic and environmental issues.
Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:31pm
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The warm glow of a campaign sign in an Iowa town reflects the changing political landscape as voters consider new leadership.Guthrie Center TodayCharley Newman, the Democratic candidate for Iowa House District 47, spoke to the Jefferson Rotary Club about his campaign priorities. Newman, who grew up on a farm outside Ralston and now lives in Guthrie Center, highlighted concerns over Iowa's economic ranking, water quality, and civil rights issues during the Republican-controlled state legislature.
Why it matters
The race for Iowa House District 47 is a contested Democratic primary, with Newman facing off against Chris New from Dallas Center. The outcome could shift the balance of power in the state legislature, which has been under Republican control for the past decade.
The details
In his remarks, Newman noted that in January 2026, the Federal Reserve ranked Iowa as having the worst economy in the country. He also said Iowa ranked 44th nationally for hourly wages. Newman criticized the state legislature for rolling back civil rights protections and said Iowa is among the worst states for water quality, largely due to environmental factors. He proposed developing a system for free water well testing and ways for people to mitigate radon in their homes.
- The Jefferson Rotary Club hosted Newman on April 14, 2026.
- The Democratic primary election for Iowa House District 47 is scheduled for June 2026.
The players
Charley Newman
The Democratic candidate for Iowa House District 47. Newman grew up on a farm outside Ralston and now lives in Guthrie Center, where he works as a UPS driver and at Casey's.
Chris New
The other Democratic candidate in the contested primary race for Iowa House District 47. New is from Dallas Center.
What they’re saying
“Because I feel like we've had ten years of Republican control and I think that it's time for a change. I think that they (the Republicans) are pursuing an agenda that is not in the best interest of everyday Iowans. When you have a divided government I honestly think it's just better to not have one party in total control because they kind of get a little wild with what they go after.”
— Charley Newman, Democratic Candidate for Iowa House District 47
What’s next
The Democratic primary election for Iowa House District 47 will be held in June 2026, with the winner facing the Republican nominee in the general election.
The takeaway
Newman's campaign platform focuses on addressing Iowa's economic challenges, improving water quality, and restoring civil rights protections - issues that could resonate with voters in this swing district as they consider a change in political control of the state legislature.
