Lynn Hammel
RepublicanQ1 Iowa currently has the nation’s second-highest cancer rate and is one of only a few states where the cancer rate is increasing. What policies, if any, would you support regarding this issue?
I support expanding access to cancer screenings and early detection, encouraging cancer prevention, and supporting research into Iowa’s rising cancer rates. I would support efforts to identify and address environmental and lifestyle risk factors, protect clean water, and improve access to quality health care. Policies should be based on credible scientific evidence, measurable results, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars. I would also support partnerships among health providers, universities, communities, and researchers to better understand why Iowa’s cancer rates are increasing and identify effective prevention strategies.
Keywords: Cancer prevention, early detection, screenings, research, clean water, public health, evidence-based policy, sound science
Q2 Iowa’s universities receive roughly $350 million annually in federal research funding. NIH funding for research at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University fell by over $125 million from FY2024 to FY2025. What is your view on these funding reductions, and what policies, if any, would you support regarding funding for scientific research conducted in Iowa?
I support scientific research that benefits Iowans and produces measurable results. Iowa’s universities play an important role in research, education, agriculture, health, and innovation.
I would support maintaining a strong environment for research through responsible state funding, competitive grants, and partnerships with the private sector. I also believe research funding should be transparent, accountable, and focused on projects with clear scientific merit and potential public benefit.
Federal funding decisions are ultimately made at the federal level, but Iowa can help strengthen its research institutions by supporting infrastructure, workforce development, and opportunities for researchers to compete for federal and private funding.
My goal is to encourage innovation while being responsible with taxpayer dollars and ensuring research funding is used effectively.
Keywords: measurable, transparent, accountable, responsible
Q3 Scientific evidence is generated through the systematic testing and evaluation of ideas. It provides knowledge that helps us understand the world and predict the likely consequences of different choices, such as policy making related to public health, energy, agriculture, and environmental regulation. What role, if any, should scientific evidence and expert input play in your policymaking process, and how would you evaluate competing or uncertain scientific claims when making policy decisions? What role, if any, should that process play when scientific consensus and public opinion diverge?
Scientific evidence and expert input should inform policymaking, while elected officials also consider constitutional authority, individual rights, costs, and the needs of Iowa communities. I would review credible, peer-reviewed research, consider multiple sources, and distinguish established evidence from uncertainty or competing claims. When scientific consensus and public opinion differ, I would consider both carefully, communicate what the evidence shows, and remain accountable to the people of Iowa.
Keywords: rights, evidences, communication