Iowa House member from Davenport seeks re-election

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By Ed Tibbetts | Friday, February 08, 2008 |

State. Rep. Jim Lykam, D-Davenport, has announced he will run for re-election. Buy this Photo

Iowa Rep. Jim Lykam, D-Davenport, said Thursday he will seek another term in the

Legislature.

Lykam, who faced a stiff challenge in 2006, represents parts of west and northwest Davenport, a swing district that’s switched between Republicans and Democrats over the years.

“I’d call myself a pragmatist,” Lykam said. “I realize I can’t change the world, but I want to make things comfortable for my constituents.”

A semi-retired car dealer, Lykam was first elected to the Statehouse in 1988.

He lost a re-election bid in 1990 but regained the seat in 2002. He’s seeking his fourth consecutive term and fifth overall.

Lykam said the state needs to continue its economic development efforts, noting the passage of incentives for renewable energy.

“Ethanol’s been good for this economy,” he said.

He also said it must maintain a commitment to boost teacher salaries.

No Republican has announced a bid for the 85th District seat yet. But the GOP has criticized Statehouse Democrats for spending in the last session.

Lykam defends the party’s record, but he said the Legislature will likely have to find places to cut this year from Gov. Chet Culver’s budget proposal because some of his revenue-raising ideas — such as changing how corporations are taxed and revising the state’s bottle deposit law — aren’t politically feasible.

He identified $8 million for a state park as a possibility for cuts but also said community colleges need more money.

Lykam touts his record on public safety issues. He’s the chairman of the House Public Safety Committee and wants to crack down on child predators on the Internet.

Lykam also is vice chairman of the Transportation Committee and says the Legislature needs to come up with money to improve its roads. The state Department of Transportation says $200 million a year is needed.

Lykam is a graduate of Davenport West High School and Palmer Junior College. He and his wife, Barb, have a son.

Ed Tibbetts can be contacted at (563) 383-2327 or etibbetts@qctimes.com.