
Rugby Sliger
Republican | Iowa
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Rugby Sliger
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary
Race
State Representative, District 59
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
RRMR CSD, Rockford Iowa, Diploma, 2002-2014
Niacc, Mason City Iowa, None, 2013-2014
Devry, Online, IT/ software programming, 2025-2026
WORK & MILITARY
City Of Nora springs, Public Works, 2025-2026
DBE, Service Technician, 2020-2024
AFFILIATIONS
River City Rugby Club, President, 2025-2026
Zoning Board of Adjustments, Volunteer, 2025-2026
Rockford Youth Softball and Baseball, Volunteer, 2014-2014
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Mason City Council Ward 4, 2025-2025
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Term limits Iowa
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Young Republican National Federation (2025)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
Rugby Sliger signed the U.S. Term Limits Pledge.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
Public dollars should support healthcare that protects life not subsidize abortion providers like Planned Parenthood through federal, state, or local funding streams, including Title X.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Elective abortions should not be allowed. The only exceptions should be in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is at risk.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Life begins at conception pretty easy answer here.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Agree
As technology advances, we have a responsibility to ensure that human embryos created through artificial methods are treated with dignity and protected from intentional destruction, while also supporting families navigating fertility treatments.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Agree
While states set their own abortion policies, existing federal laws like the Comstock Act should still be enforced when it comes to interstate distribution of abortion inducing drugs.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
To me, separation of church and state means the government doesn’t get to control religion or force beliefs on anyone. But it also doesn’t mean faith has no place in public life. People should be free to live out their values, and that includes how they engage in their communities and government.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
I don’t believe the government should force individuals or businesses to violate their deeply held moral or religious beliefs. At the same time, we should treat people with respect and make sure services are accessible. There’s a way to protect both freedom and fairness without heavy handed mandates.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
The Chinese Communist Party is a real threat not just militarily, but through cyberattacks, intellectual property theft, and economic pressure. We need to stand strong, protect American jobs and innovation, and make sure we’re not dependent on adversaries.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
I support strong alliances like the one we have with Israel, but I also believe every relationship should ultimately serve American interests. We can stand with our allies while still making sure, we’re putting our own country first.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
I would align more with option C. I support keeping Medicare and Medicaid in place for those who rely on them, but I don’t believe we should expand government further into healthcare. We need to protect the safety net while also preserving choice, encouraging competition, and making healthcare more affordable without growing bureaucracy.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
I don’t support the government maintaining a database of individuals medical conditions. While it’s important to understand healthcare costs, that can be done using anonymous, aggregated data. We should never sacrifice personal privacy or open the door to government overreach when it comes to sensitive medical information
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I believe in a balanced approach to the minimum wage. We need to ensure people can earn a fair wage, but we also have to be mindful of the impact on small businesses and local economies. Any changes should be gradual, and data driven.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
If you want a productive economy, you have to protect free enterprise and private property rights. That’s what allows small businesses to grow, workers to succeed, and communities like ours to thrive.
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
My priorities are simple. Increase transparency, eliminate wasteful programs, clean up outdated laws that no longer serve Iowans, hold economic incentives accountable, and streamline government. If it doesn’t make sense or doesn’t deliver results, it shouldn’t stay on the books or on the payroll.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
In Iowa, we value law, order, and accountability. Sanctuary city policies create confusion and undermine cooperation between local and federal law enforcement. That’s not the direction we should be going.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
In Iowa, we know our students better than Washington does. I support returning education decisions to our state and local communities so we can focus on what actually works for Iowa families, teachers, and schools
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
Foreign governments should not be funding American education. Our schools and universities should answer to American communities not foreign influence. We need to protect our classrooms, our research, and our students from outside interference.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
The criminal justice system should focus on three things: protecting communities, delivering fair and consistent justice, and reducing repeat offenses. That means holding people accountable for their actions while also supporting rehabilitation where it makes sense so individuals can become productive members of society again.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
Protecting children from online exploitation should be a top priority. That means enforcing existing laws, strengthening penalties for offenders, and holding platforms accountable for preventing abuse and reporting illegal activity.
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
I believe U.S. law should be based on the Constitution and applied equally to everyone. We should not incorporate any foreign legal systems into our framework. At the same time, people from all backgrounds are welcome here but coming to America means respecting our laws and the values that hold our country together.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe the focus should be on public safety without punishing responsible gun owners. We need strict enforcement against violent criminals, straw purchasers, and those who use firearms in the commission of crimes. The answer is not broad restrictions on constitutional rights, but making sure the laws we already have are applied effectively.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
I would describe myself as a conservative who believes in limited government, personal responsibility, and strong communities. I’m focused on protecting individual freedoms, supporting working families, and making sure government works for the people not the other way around.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
I believe parents have a fundamental right and responsibility to direct their child’s health and education. Government should support that role, not replace it. Parents know their children best, and they should have a real voice in the decisions that affect their future.
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Agree
I believe decisions about gender identity especially medical interventions should not be made for children without careful consideration, parental involvement, and appropriate safeguards. These are serious, life altering decisions that should be handled with caution, and we should prioritize the well being and long term health of children above all else.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Agree
I believe marriage is a sacred institution rooted in faith and tradition as a union between one man and one woman. At the same time, I recognize that in our country, government has created a legal framework around marriage. My focus is on protecting religious freedom so individuals and institutions are not forced to act against their beliefs.
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Neutral
I support responsible expansion of gambling in Iowa, as long as it’s done in a way that benefits our communities, creates jobs, and generates revenue for essential services. At the same time, we need to ensure strong safeguards are in place to address addiction and protect vulnerable individuals.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
“My faith became real to me after a life changing moment in 2023 when I suffered a stroke. It forced me to slow down, reflect, and recognize what truly matters. Since then, I’ve made a commitment to live my life in the image and spirit of God guided by faith, service, and a responsibility to others. That experience shaped who I am today and how I lead.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Photo ID is needed.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
I don’t believe government should distribute benefits or payments based on race. Our focus should be on expanding opportunity, strengthening education, and supporting working families across the board.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
We can respect individuals while also recognizing that biological differences matter especially when it comes to fairness in sports and privacy in certain spaces.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Neutral
I believe we should be good stewards of our environment, but I don’t support alarmist policies that hurt working families and small businesses. We need practical, balanced solutions like innovation, energy efficiency, and responsible resource management without sacrificing our economy or energy independence.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear and natural gas are the most reliable energy sources to meet growing demand. Renewables have a role, but they can’t do it alone.
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