A candidate to be a US Senate representative for Iowa made a stop in Guthrie Center Friday afternoon. 

Mike Franken is a retired US Navy vice admiral and engineer from Lebanon who is running as a Democrat against incumbent Chuck Grassley this November. Franken says he feels like it’s his duty to run for office. 

“I really thought that my experiences, education and know how trust in people’s understanding of how the process works would be value added in Washington DC as a US senator and I believe Iowa needs a new level of representation and I’m happy to be that one to give them that fair shake in life.”

Franken says one of his biggest issues is curving the division with both democrat and republican parties. 

“We get wrapped up in cultural name calling that really divides us. And I think what we really need to concentrate on is ensuring that we elect people who have an altruistic perspective on life. And so I would suggest that threats to democracy are the biggest issue that I would like to ensure.”

Franken also answered several questions from a crowd of little over 30 people about climate change, abortion, cybersecruity and much more. The event was held at the Mary J.Barnett Memorial Library.