Democratic Congressional Candidate Clint Twedt-Ball Holds Event in Decorah

Our newsroom runs on more than coffee and craft beer — it runs on you. Support Decorah News' local reporting today. DECORAH — Clint Twedt-Ball, a United Methodist pastor and founder of the nonprofit Matthew 25, visited Decorah on Tuesday to discuss his campaign for Congress and share his vision for Iowa's future. Twedt-Ball spoke about his experience building a nonprofit focused on supporting struggling neighborhoods and leading Cedar Rapids through the 2008 flood. "Over the course of that flood, we raised about $6 million, brought in thousands of volunteers, and rehabbed more than 300 homes," he said. "I think about that flood and what a dark place we were in, and Iowa feels like it's in a really dark place sometimes," he said. He cited concerns he has heard from voters about public education, access to rural healthcare, water quality, and the vitriol in politics. "I have the skills and the track record of pulling people together in dark times to bring us forward and create practical solutions. After the flood, it started with listening and then saying, how do we create change? How do we create solutions? And I think that's still what we need to do." Twedt-Ball answered questions from attendees on a variety of topics, including climate change and water quality. He shared his experience growing up in rural Iowa and the need for government to create stronger incentives to address climate change and improve water quality. He said he would push to be on the Agriculture Committee if elected. He also discussed the need to rebuild institutions that have been weakened by the current administration and do more to revitalize rural Iowa. "We need to rely on that spirit of possibility that Iowa has always had to create the next generation of small businesses and economic development," he said. He was also asked about what it takes to stay tough in politics. "This is where for me faith comes in, when you're grounded in values of love and determination, following this guy that was willing to take on political religious authorities, flip over tables in the temple grounded in a faith that was of Martin Luther King, Jr. moving and marching forward in Selma. That's the kind of grit that I have... and like I said, I've proven it for 20 years in building an organization that's deeply respected and in spite of the battles we've been through." He reinforced that he believes politics has to be about bringing people together. "I don't think it's about screaming and yelling… I want to win and save the future for our kids. And we have to do that by doing some healing, but also having enough of a backbone that we say, this is our plumb line." The event was held at the home of Jim and Liz Fritz. Twedt-Ball also stopped by Mabe's Pizza and several shops on Water Street to visit with small business owners and do some holiday shopping. About Clint Twedt-Ball Twedt-Ball is a United Methodist pastor and founder of Matthew 25, a Cedar Rapids nonprofit focused on affordable housing, food, and education. He played a pivotal role in recovery efforts after the 2008 flood and the 2020 derecho. His organization recruited thousands of volunteers, rehabbed over 1,000 homes, and has driven millions of dollars of investment into core neighborhoods in Cedar Rapids. He was born and raised in Iowa and has spent his career building community initiatives. Twedt-Ball is centering his campaign on leadership that he says brings people together in difficult times. About the race Iowa's 2nd Congressional District spans the northeast part of the state and includes Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Waverly, Waterloo, and Grinnell. With incumbent Rep. Ashley Hinson running for Senate, the seat is open this cycle. Be the first to know! Sign up for the free newsletter and unlock exclusive updates, breaking news, and tips from around the community.