Meet (and Defeat) Matt Reisetter

Don’t Send Another Christian Nationalist to Des Moines!

by Doug Smith

August 12, 2026

When Rep. Derek Wulf abandoned House District 76 to run for Lt. Governor alongside Kansan Zach Lahn, a group of Republican insiders put Matt Reisetter on the ballot in his place.  Matt is not a newcomer to politics… you may remember when he ran for the State House and lost to Bob Kressig back in 2006, and when he ran for State Senate in 2012 and lost to Jeff Danielson. 

Back then I spoke to Matt about his opposition to gay rights.  I told him I thought it was wrong to oppose same-sex marriage and to use LGBTQ+ Iowans as scapegoats.  Because Matt was so tightly tied into the evangelical world here in the Cedar Valley, I was concerned that his vocal opposition would give people the impression that God hates gay people.  He told me that he believes same-sex marriage is wrong (according to his interpretation of the Bible) and so the loving thing to do was to tell people they need to repent and stop sinning, so they won’t experience the wrath of God. 

Matt is free to believe anything he wants as a private citizen, but is this the person we want voting on laws for everyone in Iowa?  Absolutely NOT!  This is Christian Nationalism at its worst… deciding that everyone should live by your own narrow religious beliefs.  We already have plenty of Christian Nationalists in Des Moines, from Gov. Reynolds on down.  We do not need to send another one! 

Calvin Horn is the Democratic candidate for House District 76.  He’s a retired businessman and not a career politician.  He stepped in to run in this district despite the fact that it historically leans Republican, because people need to have a choice in the upcoming midterm election.  If people are fed up with ten years of Republican rule here in Iowa and want their elected officials to do something positive for the people of Iowa, like supporting public education and cleaning up our ground water, they have a candidate they can get behind and be proud to vote for. 

If you live in Hudson, Traer, Dysart, LaPorte City, Gilbertville, Evansdale, and southern Cedar Falls, YOU are needed to help keep Matt Reisetter out of the Iowa House!  Can you donate to Calvin Horn’s campaign?  You can bet Matt will be getting plenty of money from his deep pocket Republican backers.  Can you knock on doors, or write postcards, or make phone calls for Calvin?  Go to https://www.calvinhornforhd76.com/ and find one or more ways to get involved!

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