Strong Public
Education
When I was growing up, Iowa was known as the gold standard for public education, and I was proud to be a product of that education. But over the last decade, we’ve dropped from 4th to 24th in education and forty percent of our children are living in poverty while we continue to underfund our schools. As the founder of Advocates for Iowa’s Children, I believe all children and their education matters, but private schools do not need our tax dollars right now. Our public school children, support staff and teachers do. Public school is the foundation of Iowa, serving 500,000 of our children, and we must restore and protect it. This includes restoring and supporting our AEAs that serve all of our children, including my daughter with rare disabilities. I am dedicated to bringing people together at the state capitol to get our education back on track. Our children are counting on us.
Accessible & Affordable Healthcare
After working as a nurse for many years, I now work in the healthcare field focusing on quality patient care, transformation, and innovation to improve care for Iowans. My skill set is in fixing broken systems. Ever since the privatization of Medicare and Medicaid in our state, we have seen our elderly die in hospitals or in understaffed nursing homes with families paying out of pocket waiting for insurance coverage. We have 20,000 people in our state with disabilities unable to get waiver services, and once benefits are received, they are forced to choose insurance coverage over being in the workforce and getting married. Iowans deserve accessible healthcare and quality of life, and I am dedicated to fighting for this at the state capitol.
Protecting Individual Rights
My goals are to ensure that the voice of the community is heard, to reduce this political divide in our people, and focus instead on protecting rights and improving quality of life for all who live here. I will always choose our people over politics. Our current government isn't respecting Iowans, they are infringing on our individual liberties and it needs to stop. We need to secure the right to reproductive freedom for all Iowans. We need to respect the decision between a person and their doctor. We need to respect our teachers and our school districts, to make the right decisions for their community. We need to protect our community from the discriminatory legislation that continues to come out of the capitol. It is all too far and it needs to stop.
Strong Unions and Workers' Rights
I am committed to fighting for strong unions and workers' rights here in Iowa because I believe in the fundamental principle that every worker deserves fair treatment, safe working conditions, and a voice in their workplace. My husband is a proud union Millwright, and I know personally how important a strong workplace, bargaining rights, and fair wages are to a family because that is my family. Unions play a crucial role in advocating for better wages, benefits, and job security, which in turn strengthens our communities and boosts our local economy. By supporting unions and workers' rights, we ensure that all workers have the opportunity to thrive, contribute meaningfully to our society, and secure a better future for themselves and their families.
Securing Mental Healthcare Access
I am fighting for mental healthcare access because I believe that mental health is just as important as physical health, and every Iowan deserves access to the care they need. Mental health issues can affect anyone, and without proper support and resources, individuals and families suffer. By advocating for expanded mental healthcare access, we can reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, provide essential services to those in need, and build healthier, more resilient communities. It is imperative that we invest in mental health infrastructure, increase funding for mental health programs, and ensure that mental health services are accessible, affordable, and comprehensive for all Iowans.
Natural
Resources
Protecting our natural resources in Iowa is paramount, particularly as we confront pressing challenges such as water pollution and rising cancer rates. The state's waterways are increasingly contaminated with agricultural runoff and industrial pollutants, threatening both the environment and public health. This pollution has been linked to escalating cancer rates, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive action. Legislation aimed at incentivizing sustainable farming practices is crucial in addressing these issues. By encouraging farmers to adopt methods that reduce chemical usage and prevent soil erosion, we can protect our water sources and promote a healthier ecosystem. Such measures not only safeguard our natural resources but also ensure the long-term well-being of Iowa's communities.