MASON CITY - Tom Latham, a Republican and the incumbent in the 4th Congressional District, and Becky Greenwald, his opponent, disagree on just about everything.

Latham, 60, touts 14 years experience in the U.S. House and a bipartisan approach to issues.

Greenwald, 56, a Democrat, counters Latham hasn't done much in those years in the House and votes with President Bush "19 out of every 20 times."

Latham voted against both bailout bills. Greenwald said she would have voted against the first and for the second because the revised bill included many add-ons that benefit Iowans.

"Sweeteners," Latham said.

He added he voted against both because he doesn't think Iowans' money should be used to bail out Wall Street sharks.

Greenwald said Latham's votes against the bailout are unique because he is a "serial deregulator."

Latham said the issue is about the only one Greenwald has taken a stand on - and "she's 100 percent wrong."

Greenwald favors a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and a U.S. policy that would put more time and resources into Afghanistan.

Latham notes the U.S. is "making tremendous progress in Iraq."

He said having a timetable on troop withdrawal would be like a football coach telling his team's "big play" to the opposing team - and when it would be used.

Latham and Greenwald also disagree on immigration policy.

Greenwald said Latham has been in Congress 14 years, 12 with a Republican majority, and hasn't improved immigration policies.

She added Latham has been relatively silent on raids in Marshalltown and Postville even though both are in the 4th District.

Greenwald said she favors an immigration policy that "provides a path to a clear, legal status" - which Latham described as just another name for amnesty.

Latham said the reason immigration bills have failed in Congress is because Democrats who favor amnesty won't let any other bills through.

" … People who break the law should not be rewarded," he said.

Latham was born in Hampton and grew up in Alexander, where he became affiliated with his family's seed company.

He was elected to Congress in 1994 from what was then the 5th District.

Reapportionment in 2000 shifted Latham into the sprawling 4th District. He lives in Ames.

Greenwald is from Perry and is the Dallas County Democrat chair.

Her business background is also in agriculture.

In Northeast Iowa, the 4th Congressional District includes Hardin, Franklin, Floyd, Chickasaw, Mitchell, Howard, Winneshiek and Allamakee counties.

Contact John Skipper at

john.skipper@globegazette.com.