Cedar Rapids business owner running in Iowa House 70

CEDAR RAPIDS - An early childhood educator and business owner is running for an open west-side Cedar Rapids seat in the Iowa House.

Tracy Ehlert, a Democrat, will run in House District 70, now represented by Rep. Todd Taylor, D-Cedar Rapids. He has announced plans to run in 2018 for the seat held by retiring Democratic Sen. Wally Horn.

Ehlert, who has owned and operated an early childhood program - Babies 2 Kids Learning Center - in Cedar Rapids for 10 years, is running 'to be a strong voice for Iowa kids and families.”

'It's time for lawmakers in Des Moines to focus on hardworking families who are being left behind,” she said. 'Every Iowan deserves access to affordable health care, a world-class education, and a job with good benefits to support their own family.”

Ehlert, who is working on a master's in early childhood education, teaches professional development on early childhood education and early childhood development topics at Kirkwood Community College and through area early childhood organizations.

Ehlert serves on several national, state, and local early childhood boards and organizations. She also is involved in the community through several organizations, including Young Parents Network and Save the Children Action Network, and at Coolidge Elementary School.

She and her husband, Justin, and two sons live in the Cedar Hills neighborhood.

House 70 is bordered by the Cedar River on the east, 16th Avenue on the south, Fletcher Road on the north and the Linn County line on the west. According to the Secretary of State's Office, 8,453 Democrats are registered in House 70 and 5,056 Republicans.

l Comments: (319) 398-8375; james.lynch@thegazette.com