Although Steve Sherman did not intend on becoming a career politician, his time at the University of Iowa helped to prepare him.

The Iowa City Republican National Committee Victory Office held a phone-bank event Thursday in Coralville for Sherman, the Republican candidate in Iowa House District 77.

Sherman said he is running on a platform of lowering taxes, lessening regulation, and improving the business climate of Iowa.

"Across the board, I am knocking on doors," he said. "Whether it’s a Republican house or a Democrat house."

Sherman graduated from the UI in 1992 and studied communications. However, when he graduated, he did not see a future in politics.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Iowa," he said. "It’s a great town. The university helped prepare me for life, but I never set out to be a politician."

The public event brought in more than 20 Sherman supporters, including friends, neighbors, and fellow Republicans.

Sherman is running against Sally Stutsman for District 77.

Stutsman has served as a Johnson County Supervisor since she was elected to the position in 1995. According to her website, Stutsman plans to manage the state’s budget effectively, restore education to a "premier status", and help farmers diversify and market products if elected.

In a campaign video, Stutsman notes her and her husband’s "more than 40 years of agri-business experience as farm owners and operaters" as well as her years working in human services.

Sherman also comes from rural roots. He grew up on his family’s Century Farm near Grinnell. He has lived with wife Amy in North Liberty for 18 years, and they have four children.

Volunteers drummed up support for Sherman by calling district residents and conducting a brief survey on national and local politics.

Sherman said he envisions a community that attracts new businesses and gives them the opportunity to thrive.

"I would really like to do what I can to make people stay here," he said.

He believes government spending is spread too thin, and it should be focused on areas that really need it.

"It needs to be brought down wherever it is physically possible," he said. "There are some redundancies in the programs."

Nichole Early, who has taught two of Sherman’s children at the Heritage Christian school in North Liberty, said he is a natural leader.

"He kind of exudes leadership," she said. "He is a great communicator."

Mary Palmer, who has worked with him on the building committee for the school, said he shows his desire to help people through public works.

"He used to work in construction and offered any help he could," she said. "When we needed it, he was able to get a group together to help."

Stutsman also plans to increase collaboration in the state. According to her website, she aims to "create cooperative partnerships to effectively carry out the work of the state government."

Stutsman could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.

House District 77 includes the towns of North Liberty, Oxford, Tiffin, Swisher, Shueyville, Lone Tree, Sharon Center, and Frytown as well as the rural townships of western and southern Johnson County.