By Maria Curi
If Republican candidate and Le Claire, Iowa, police Sgt. Mike Gonzales wins the Iowa Senate District 45 seat, he will become the first Latino elected to the state’s Legislature.
A grandson of Mexican immigrants, Gonzales will face off against Rep. Jim Lykam, D-Davenport, in a special election on Dec. 27. The seat had been held by Sen. Joe Seng, D-Davenport, who passed away on Sept. 16.
In an interview with The Daily Iowan, Gonzales addressed his unique position as a Republican Latino, his views on President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial immigration plan, and why he thinks Latinos remain underrepresented in the Legislature and Congress.
The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
The Daily Iowan: What specific goals do you plan to accomplish if you become a state senator?
Sgt. Mike Gonzales: I’d like to stick with less taxation, redoing the tax code. Iowa’s tax code is so far out of line we need to work on reducing the government.
DI: As I’m sure you’re aware, if you win you will be the first Latino lawmaker in Iowa history elected to the Legislature, and the Latino population is growing in Iowa. Are there any specific things you would work on as a senator for the Latino community in Iowa?
Gonzales: I actually didn’t even know that I just found that out a week ago. I don’t know how I feel about that. I don’t want to work for just one community. I want us to be successful in Des Moines so that all of Iowa wins. I love my Hispanic heritage, and I’m very proud of my heritage, but I want to work for everybody.
DI: Historically, the majority of Latinos have aligned with the Democratic Party. Do you think running as a Republican will affect your chances of gaining their support?
Gonzales: Probably. There are some things that we won’t agree on. My thing is this … I just want less government. I just want less taxes. We’ve had and seen so much divisiveness for a while now, and I honestly just want to get things done. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, including Latinos, but I expect to get things done and focus on the things we have in common. I’m a cop, I’m not a politician; I don’t do that politics talk, and I refuse to be negative. You cannot, will not, shall not, put anything negative behind my name. We’ve had enough of that. No one wants to see that.
DI: Why do you think the U.S. Congress as well as state officeholders remain disproportionately white compared with the U.S. population?
Gonzales: I honestly don’t know. My parents always taught us to be involved and be a part of your community. Everyone has an opportunity to succeed. When my grandparents came from Mexico to the United States, they lived in a boxcar in Illinois. That was their home because they worked for the railroad, and that’s what the railroad gave them. And still it was better than Mexico, but they wanted better, and my grandfather made it so that he could buy that big two-story house on Gilbert Street. I wish people took more chances on the opportunities that are available to them.
DI: What are your thoughts on Iowa’s English Only Law that required all government proceedings to be conducted in English including voting registration forms?
Gonzales: I agree with it from the standpoint of my grandfather, if my grandfather had accepted his conditions, he would not have assimilated. You can have so much more opportunities if you speak English. I just want what’s best for everybody. Break down as many barriers as you can so you can succeed. Do I wish I spoke Spanish? Yes, I would love to, especially in law enforcement. But my parents never spoke Spanish to us at home so we could assimilate and break down barriers.
DI: Where do you stand on Donald Trump’s immigration plan?
Gonzales: I don’t believe in BS. I can go on and on speech after speech condoning Donald Trump’s plan, but let’s be real: It’s not going to happen — way too much money, can’t deport 11 million people, period. But border security? Yes. Just because of national security. As a form of national security, we must secure the border. I’m a big proponent of immigration; we’re a nation that is supposed to welcome them, but I want it to be done legally. We need a realistic plan not all this nonsense.
