(KIWA Staff Photo)Des Moines, Iowa (RI) — Democrat Chris Jones, who is running to be Iowa’s next Secretary of Agriculture, says water quality has become a major issue in the 2026 campaign.
Jones says candidates across the state are now talking about water quality — something he argues wasn’t happening earlier this year.
Jones says Iowa’s voluntary approach to manure and farm-chemical application isn’t improving water conditions, and he believes it’s time for state regulations.
Last week, Jones and about 50 supporters floated down the Des Moines River, starting in Palo Alto County and ending near Birdland Marina in Des Moines.
Jones says conditions improved slightly near the confluence with the Raccoon River, but algae blooms still give the water a greenish appearance. He says the river is far different from what it was 150 years ago.
Jones says the millions of dollars the state spends each year on water-quality projects aren’t solving the problem.
Jones made his comments during a news conference in a park along the Des Moines River.
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, the Republican running for re-election, says the state has made historic investments in water-quality initiatives during his tenure. Naig says if he wins another term, he’ll focus on expanding current efforts, rather than imposing regulations he argues would drive farmers out of business.
