Driving real progress and delivering results for families and businesses across Western Cedar Rapids.
Driving real progress and delivering results for families and businesses across Western Cedar Rapids.
Barclay Woerner is a problem-solver, business leader, and community-focused advocate dedicated to making Iowa stronger, safer, and more accountable. With a background in retail and business management, he brings a practical, results-driven approach to public service—focused on fixing problems, not playing politics. A devoted husband of 32 years and proud father of five, Barclay understands firsthand the challenges families face and is committed to lowering the burden on hardworking Iowans. He is passionate about increasing transparency in government, supporting teachers and first responders, and tackling critical issues like rising cancer rates, mental health challenges, and human trafficking. Barclay believes leadership means listening, taking action, and delivering real solutions that improve everyday life for Iowa families.
Returning Iowa to the top starts with empowering teachers to do what they do best. Teachers need the freedom to challenge and inspire their students, using their professional judgment to adapt lessons based on the unique needs, strengths, and interests of the students in their classrooms.
Students thrive when they are pushed to think critically and encouraged to grow. Those who excel are often the ones guided by teachers who have the flexibility to tailor their approach—creating an environment where curiosity is fostered, expectations are high, and learning is meaningful.
Parents also play a vital role in student success and should be kept closely connected to the learning process. Providing easy access to textbooks, class materials, and notes for their children’s classes helps create transparency, strengthens support at home, and ensures everyone is working together toward the same goal: student achievement.
Schools and government entities should make clear, easy-to-understand financial reports readily available online, along with contracts, public meeting minutes, and other key documents that inform the public about how decisions are made and resources are used.
With today’s technology, there’s no reason this information shouldn’t be accessible. Parents, students, and taxpayers should be able to quickly find what they need without navigating complicated systems or submitting burdensome FOIA requests just to access basic public information.
In Linn County and across Iowa, families are feeling the growing weight of two critical challenges: rising cancer rates and increasing mental health needs. Too many individuals face long wait times, limited provider options, and a system that can feel difficult to navigate—especially in rural and underserved areas. Encouraging greater competition and flexibility in healthcare could open the door for more innovative, community-based solutions. By supporting independent providers and reducing barriers to care, we can expand access to mental health services and ensure that those struggling receive timely, effective support close to home.
At the same time, Iowa’s higher-than-average cancer rates demand serious, independent research to better understand the root causes. Since around 2012, the state has seen concerning increases that warrant closer examination, including potential environmental and agricultural factors that may be unique to Iowa. Linn County residents, like many across the state, deserve clear answers backed by transparent data. By prioritizing unbiased research and investing in prevention and early detection, Iowa can take meaningful steps toward protecting the long-term health of its communities while ensuring accountability and informed decision-making for the future.
In Linn County and across Iowa, property taxes have become an increasing burden for families, homeowners, and renters alike. Many residents are experiencing what feels like double-digit property tax inflation, often without a direct vote or clear input from the public. When property valuations rise and tax bills follow, it can feel as though decisions are being made outside the control of the people most affected. This growing concern has led to calls for greater transparency, accountability, and a stronger voice for taxpayers in how and when these increases occur.
The impact is being felt across generations. First-time homebuyers are finding it harder to enter the market, while long-time homeowners are struggling to remain in the houses where they raised their families. For retirees, the situation can be especially difficult—those who rent still bear the burden of rising property taxes through higher housing costs, even though they may not qualify for the same relief as homeowners. At the same time, local decisions—such as those by the Cedar Rapids Community School District to invest in new elementary school buildings while closing others—have raised questions among residents about how property tax dollars are being allocated and whether those choices best reflect community needs. Across Linn County and the state, there is a clear need for solutions that provide meaningful property tax relief, protect housing affordability, and ensure that Iowans are not priced out of their own communities.
Human trafficking is a hidden evil that continues to impact communities across Iowa, and the reality is deeply troubling. Ranking among the highest in the nation (#3 per capita), the state faces a serious challenge that often goes unnoticed by the public. Victims are frequently hidden in plain sight, making awareness and vigilance critical in identifying and stopping these crimes before more lives are harmed.
To effectively combat this issue, frontline workers—including law enforcement, healthcare professionals, educators, and community organizations—must be equipped with the training and resources needed to recognize the warning signs and respond appropriately. Strengthening support systems and improving coordination across agencies can play a vital role in protecting vulnerable individuals and holding traffickers accountable. Addressing human trafficking in Iowa requires both increased awareness and a committed, unified effort to safeguard the innocent