Greenfield: There are no Republican problems or Democratic problems

Growing up on the Greenfield farm, my dad always said there are no boy jobs or girl jobs, just jobs that need to get done. The same should be true in Washington.

We are living through one of the most consequential times of our lives. We're facing a pandemic and still cleaning up damages from derecho, with high unemployment and farm bankruptcies at an eight-year high. But like many of you I'm frustrated because instead of helping fix the divisiveness, Sen. Joni Ernst has become part of the problem. She fails to get results and votes to put her partisan politics and corporate PAC donors first.

I'm running to listen to Iowans and put Iowa first - and I understand the struggles we're going through because I've been there myself.

When the farm crisis threatened my dream of going to college, I put myself through school by working multiple jobs. I believe all Iowans deserve that opportunity to gain the skills they need to provide for their families. That's why I'm fighting to invest in debt-free community college and the same skills training programs that allowed my husband, an IBEW electrician, to earn while he learned.

When I was 24 and became a young widow, I supported my two young boys with the help of Social Security and my friends, family and community. When I got that first check in the mail, I had the peace of mind knowing I could provide for my family. That's something we all deserve, which is why I will always fight for our hard earned benefits.

And through the good times and bad of running a small business with eight employees, I know firsthand the tough time our small businesses and our workers face. That's why I know we must provide more aid to small businesses, invest in our infrastructure and close loopholes that allow companies to ship American jobs overseas.

Through it all, every time I've been knocked down, I get back up stronger. That's the type of leader Iowans need right now.

Everywhere I go Iowans tell me they want leaders who will end the divisiveness. As a U.S. senator, I'll use my grit and resolve to work with anyone and stand up to anyone to get us through this pandemic, rebuild our economy and expand access to health care.

Unlike Sen. Ernst, I'll always put Iowans first because I'll never forget who I am, where I'm from and who I'm fighting for.

Theresa Greenfield is a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.