Editor’s note: Between now and June 3, the Courier will profile candidates in contested area county and statewide races.

BLOOMFIELD — Republicans Howard Hubbard and John Bridges II didn’t have a bad word to say about each other while preparing for the primary election. But one of them will move on to the general election to take on incumbent Rep. Kurt Swaim, D-Bloomfield, for his seat as state representative of District 94.

Bridges said he decided to run when Swaim did not work to get the “marriage amendment” (sometimes called the gay-marriage ban) onto the floor of the House for a vote.

“Whether you support it or oppose it, the fact is the people should have the right to vote on an amendment to the state constitution, and we were denied that right,” he said. “Somebody’s got to do something about this.”

He could be that person because of his core beliefs, he claims.

“I have strong convictions. I don’t get up in the morning and stick my finger to the wind. You’ll know where I stand on issues,” Bridges said. “I don’t plan on letting the Republican party use me as a tool; I plan on using the Republican party as a tool. As a tool to help move southern Iowa forward, as a tool to [create a more] pro-business environment, to encourage small businesses [in order] to stimulate the economies of these counties. It’s time to work with like-minded people, like the [members of the] Republican party — but not to give them a rubber stamp.”

Another issue he is focussing on is the state inventing new programs, then forcing local municipalities to pay for them.

“One thing I would definitely work for is to abolish all unfunded mandates,” he said. “Counties have a limited budget, and by the time they get done paying for all these unfunded mandates, they only have a little bit left to pay for what they need.”

Bridges said the phone number used for his campaign, and which he will keep as his number should he win the seat, will be to his cell phone.

“I’d listen to my constituents rather than the heads of my party. I emphatically believe the people should have a direct line to their officials. I don’t care if I get 200 calls a day, you can get a hold of me.”

Hubbard believes it’s time for someone like him to serve District 94, someone who isn’t a politician.

“A common man needs to step up and say ‘I’m not going to fall; I’m going to stand up and represent the people.’ We only have what we have because people stand up.”

He would stand on behalf of his constituents, he said.

“My job is not to dictate, my job is to represent the people. As a representative, it’s not my job to say, ‘You people will live this way,’ it’s my job to go to Des Moines and say, ‘This is how my people want to live.’”

For example, representatives should fight when the government tries to dictate personal behavior. So even though Hubbard does not smoke, he would refuse to tell smokers how to live their lives.