Republican Ronald Langston wants to bring his extensive public and private sector expertise to Iowa Senate District 17

Republican Ronald Langston, who is running for Iowa Senate District 17 in Des Moines, responded to Black Iowa News’ 2026 Candidate Questionnaire. Here are his unedited responses.

BLACK IOWA NEWS: Black Iowans face challenges involving household income, homeownership, access to capital and business development. What specific policies would you support to expand economic opportunity, increase homeownership and help Black-owned businesses grow and succeed in Iowa?

Langston: As former National Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA.gov) in Washington, D.C., I led national efforts to grow African American, Asian, Hispanic and Native American-owned enterprises. That experience taught me governmental economic development entities must be nimble and function as an entrepreneurial organization, not an administrative agency.

Accordingly, I will pursue legislation establishing an Iowa Business Enterprise Initiative to expand access to capital and link investment to entrepreneurial growth.

I will build on partnerships between Iowa’s colleges and universities and national businesses and financial organizations to mentor entrepreneurs and propose an international business-to-business (B2B) initiative leveraging Iowa’s global diversity, especially in Senate District 17, the state’s most economically, culturally and internationally diverse district.

I will advocate for investments and strategic coordination of business incubators in Des Moines, Ames, Cedar Rapids, Grinnell-Iowa City, Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Davenport, and Sioux City, where multicultural businesses and educational institutions are concentrated.

To increase homeownership, I support expanded first-time homebuyer and down-payment assistance, financial counseling, affordable housing and the establishment of a preservation and restoration of a century home industry.

Address Iowa’s workforce shortages by connecting residents to well-paying careers in skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, health care, agricultural and information technology through apprenticeships, educational institutions and employer partnerships that build generational wealth.

BLACK IOWA NEWS: Black Iowans experience disparities in maternal health, chronic disease and access to affordable, quality health care. What specific actions would you take to address these disparities, improve health outcomes and ensure Black Iowans have access to the care they need?

Langston: Racial disparities in maternal health, infant mortality, heart disease and diabetes in Iowa require targeted action. I support improved access to prenatal and postpartum care, expanded support for doctors and community health workers and culturally competent care for mothers and families.

I will address provider shortages in underserved urban and rural health deserts through incentives to recruit and retain physicians, nurses, mental health professionals and other providers through expanded telehealth.

I also support collaboration among local, county, and regional health systems, public health agencies, faith communities and schools to strengthen early screening, prevention and chronic disease treatment. I will advocate for policies that make medical and health care services more affordable and accessible, track health outcomes and reduce disparities across Iowa’s growing health care deserts.

BLACK IOWA NEWS: Educational achievement, school funding, access to higher education and the teaching of Black history remain important issues. What policies would you support to improve educational outcomes for Black students, ensure equitable opportunities and prepare young Black Iowans for successful careers and futures in Iowa?

Langston: Every Iowa student, regardless of ZIP code, deserves a high-quality education and the opportunity to achieve strong outcomes. I support strong public schools and will make equitable funding a high priority. Iowa must aggressively reinvest in targeted early literacy, tutoring, mentoring and career readiness programs to raise achievement in reading, mathematics, and science to national benchmarks, increase graduation rates and close persistent achievement gaps.

I support expanding access to community colleges, Regents universities, apprenticeships, and workforce training through scholarships and career pathway programs that prepare students for skilled trades, health care, manufacturing, technology and other high-demand industries.

I oppose political interference by the Legislature or outside groups in how history is taught. Accurate instruction ensures that students learn, understand and appreciate the contributions and experiences of Iowans of every racial, ethnic and religious background.

Improving educational outcomes, measured by proficiency, graduation, and postsecondary completion rates, and aligning education with workforce opportunities will help more young Iowans, particularly those from diverse communities, remain in Iowa, build rewarding careers and contribute to the state’s prosperity.

BLACK IOWA NEWS: Issues surrounding discrimination, voting rights, policing and criminal justice continue to affect Black communities. What specific actions would you take to protect civil rights, address racial disparities in the justice system and ensure Black Iowans are treated fairly by government institutions?

Langston: I support vigorous enforcement of civil rights protections in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations, and I oppose discrimination in all forms. Every Iowan deserves equal treatment under the law and a government that serves them.

I support evidence-based criminal justice reforms that reduce recidivism by expanding access to mental health care, substance use treatment, job training, and reentry programs. Successful reentry strengthens families and enhances public safety.

I will ensure that Black and minority Iowans are represented in state government and that their concerns are addressed through meaningful engagement and measurable results.

BLACK IOWA NEWS: Why should Black Iowans entrust you with their vote? (What in your record demonstrates that you understand the challenges facing Bl communities and will take specific actions to improve their lives?)

Langston: Black Iowans should entrust me with their vote because I have a long track record of working on issues and with public and private sector community organizations that serve the interests of Black and minority constituencies in Iowa.

As former chairman of the Iowa Commission on the Status of African Americans, I led the commission’s policy direction addressing Iowa’s increasingly diverse statewide communities. That experience taught me that effective leadership requires listening, building partnerships, and delivering tangible results.

Through that work, the commission found that Black Iowa families continue to face gaps in wealth, homeownership, health, educational opportunity, and representation, as do emerging diverse populations across the state. I am also a member of the Iowa Nebraska Legal Redress Committee. Civil Rights is a legacy issue of great importance. I recognize rhetoric alone will not close these economic, social, and political gaps; closing them requires proven public and private sector experience I possess to foster legislative action with measurable outcomes.

If elected, I will work to expand economic opportunity throughout the state, with a special focus on supporting Black and minority-owned businesses. I will also work to increase homeownership, improve health outcomes, strengthen public schools, and ensure that government institutions and the private sector treat everyone equitably.