Zach Wahls is an inspirational activist

Ever since I was 15, I have considered myself a political activist - actively volunteering with several campaigns and organizations since 2015 by starting with the Bernie Sanders campaign. I am proud to call Johnson County my home because of our strong activist culture we have here. Most of our local leaders such as on our city councils and Board of Supervisors cite extensive activist experience. We always have been responsive to whenever a march is planned and where injustice exists there are people ready to take action.

Zach Wahls is one of these activists and an inspirational one at that. I remember watching his two moms speech when I was in sixth grade and being downright inspired by his speech and began to actively follow the gay-rights movement from that day forward. He continues to inspire others.

Among my fellow classmates who are activists, I see excitement for the Wahls campaign on par with Bernie's campaign back in 2016. Many area high school students have signed up to participate in his campaign, myself included. Wahls, being a young candidate, has become a beacon of sorts for inspiration among younger people. For years the Democratic Party has asked how to get young people excited and here we have our answer; you run candidates that can inspire them.

Iowa has need of inspirational activists and I'd be grateful if we could send such an activist as Wahls to the state capitol this November.

Teagan Roeder

Iowa City