Candidate Profiles

Strengthening our Public Education System One of the most pressing issues in Iowa is the state of our public education system. Underfunding, legislative attacks on public schools, and the promotion of private school vouchers threaten the very foundation of our children’s future. I will advocate for increased funding for public schools, a repeal of the voucher system - and will work to ensure that every child has access to quality education, no matter their zip code. This includes raising teacher pay to attract and retain talented educators, reducing class sizes, and investing in special education resources, including our AEAs. We must prioritize public schools over private interests, keeping public dollars where they belong—supporting public education. Restoring Protections for Reproductive Rights The recent Republican ban on abortion has stripped away the fundamental rights of Iowans to make their own healthcare decisions. I believe deeply in bodily autonomy, and that healthcare decisions related to reproductive health should be made by individuals and their healthcare providers—not politicians. I will fight to restore protections for reproductive rights in Iowa, ensuring access to safe and legal abortion services. It is critical to pass legislation that safeguards these rights, alongside expanding access to family planning services and comprehensive sex education to reduce unintended pregnancies. Restoring and Strengthening Workers’ Rights Over the past seven years, Iowa Republicans have systematically weakened workers’ rights, gutting collective bargaining rights and passing laws that make it harder for workers to earn a living wage and receive fair benefits. As a proud advocate for working families and a union member, I will work tirelessly to restore and strengthen labor protections, including restoring the protections of Chapter 20, which once provided public employees with stronger bargaining rights. I will fight for policies that ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to organize and collectively bargain for better pay and benefits. Iowa’s working families deserve respect and dignity, and I will be their voice in the legislature.

Public Education Iowa must prioritize increased funding for public education. Our ability to recruit and retain the best educators depends on offering competitive salaries and providing schools with the resources they need to thrive. We should be investing in modernizing our classrooms, reducing class sizes, and ensuring that students across the state have access to high-quality learning opportunities. Our goal should be to return Iowa’s public schools to their place among the best in the nation, where every student, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed. Mental Health Another critical area in need of increased funding is mental health. Iowa ranks 49th out of 50 states in per capita mental health spending, which is unacceptable. This underfunding has created a mental health crisis across the state, leaving many Iowans, particularly in rural areas, without access to essential services. I will work to significantly increase our investment in mental health care, expanding access to treatment, hiring more mental health professionals, and supporting programs that prevent crises before they occur. Infrastructure Infrastructure is the backbone of our economy and daily life. Many of our roads, bridges, and public facilities are in urgent need of repair and upgrades. I will push for more funding to address these issues, focusing on long-term investments that will create jobs, improve safety, and ensure that our state remains competitive for future growth. Natural Resources and Water Quality We must also vastly expand funding for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Water quality is a growing concern, and clean water is essential for the health of Iowans and our environment. Additionally, our state parks are in dire need of repair and restoration. Investing in these natural resources will not only protect our health and well-being but also support outdoor recreation, tourism, and the quality of life that makes Iowa a great place to live.

Yes, Iowa should ban the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving. Distracted driving is a major contributor to accidents and fatalities on our roads. In Iowa, nearly 400 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in 2023, with distracted driving being a significant factor. By banning hand-held devices, we can reduce distractions, prevent needless deaths, and make our roads safer for all Iowans. The data is clear—taking this step would save lives.

Iowa must do more to ensure that our nursing homes are regularly and thoroughly inspected to meet the needs of our aging population. A recent state audit revealed that Iowa is not meeting federal standards for nursing home inspections. This is unacceptable, particularly as we face a shortage of healthcare workers and serious issues in many facilities. The well-being of nearly 20,000 Iowans living in nursing homes depends on timely inspections to ensure safety and proper care. While state officials have claimed that they are meeting federal requirements, the audit highlights a troubling gap in oversight. Iowa ranks 46th nationally for licensed staff per nursing home resident, and 45% of our nursing homes do not meet federal staffing levels. The failure to address this crisis—due in part to a lack of legislative oversight and action—endangers our most vulnerable citizens. The Legislature must take immediate steps to increase funding for the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIAL), recruit and retain more inspectors, and ensure that all nursing homes are inspected in a timely manner. In addition, we need to address the workforce crisis in nursing homes by improving wages, staffing levels, and reimbursement rates. The health and safety of Iowa’s seniors cannot wait.

Yes, the state should absolutely provide additional funding for cancer research, screenings, and prevention programs, especially given that Iowa has the second-highest cancer rate in the nation. Our research institutions, like the University of Iowa, are well-positioned to lead the fight against this disease, and investing in them is critical. As someone who has experienced cancer in my immediate family, I know firsthand how devastating it can be. To effectively address this growing problem, we need to better understand why Iowa’s cancer rates are rising so quickly and implement strategies to reduce them.

To improve Iowa’s water quality, I would advocate for increased funding to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and support programs that incentivize farmers to adopt conservation practices such as cover cropping and buffer zones near waterways. It’s important to encourage farmers to use the most environmentally friendly practices on their operations. This approach balances the need for strong environmental protections with practical support for Iowa’s farmers, ensuring that we improve water quality while maintaining a vibrant agricultural economy. Clean water is essential for public health, recreation, and our future economic well-being.

To truly address Iowa’s mental health crisis, we need significant investment in our mental health services. Since the state took over funding for mental health care, we have been one of the worst states per capita in terms of funding. This underfunding has led to a shortage of psychiatric care, especially in rural areas. We must raise Medicaid reimbursement rates to attract and retain mental health professionals, ensuring that Iowans across the state can access the care they need. Without serious investment, we cannot hope to solve the mental health crisis facing our communities.

The Iowa Legislature must reverse the disastrous abortion ban that Republicans passed in the 2023 special legislative session. It is unconscionable that girls like my daughter will grow up with fewer rights than her grandmother had. Reproductive rights are fundamental, and the Legislature must codify the right to safe and legal abortion in Iowa law. Additionally, we cannot ignore the warning signs that Republicans may soon come after access to contraception and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Political posturing to downplay these concerns is disingenuous to Iowans. We must take action now to protect and expand access to these critical healthcare services, ensuring that personal medical decisions remain between individuals and their healthcare providers—not politicians.

Absolutely not. We must codify reproductive rights for women across Iowa—rights they enjoyed for 50 years until Republicans banned abortion. Defining life at conception through fetal personhood legislation would further strip away women’s access to basic reproductive care, imposing even more extreme restrictions on their health and autonomy.

See previous answers.

To make Iowa more attractive for investment and growth, we must promote a welcoming, business-friendly environment. Unfortunately, the right-wing culture war policies pushed by legislative Republicans—such as banning abortion and attacking LGBTQ rights—have harmed our ability to attract both businesses and workers. Iowa needs to focus on fostering inclusivity, protecting individual rights, and creating opportunities for everyone, which will make our state a more appealing place to live, work, and invest.