Address concerns about democracy and rural Iowa

Eileen Beran | Iowa House District 92

My name is Eileen Beran, and I’m running for Iowa House of Representatives in District 92. The district is made up of eight townships in southern and southwestern Johnson County and all of Washington County.

A little about my background: I have an English Literature degree from the University of Minnesota. My professional career spanned over 40 years as a graphic artist, editor, and writer. My husband and I have been married for 42 years, and we have a married son and two grandsons who live nearby. In 2000 we moved to Kalona from the Twin Cities, and I loved small-town life from Day One.

I’m a first-time candidate and an ordinary citizen, and I stepped into the race because I’m concerned about our democracy and I care about Iowa’s rural communities. The state House race in my district had an unopposed Republican candidate who will closely follow the party’s agenda. In some important ways, I see this agenda as bad for rural Iowa.

What I see as good for rural Iowa is fully funding public education and keeping public funds in public schools. Schools are the centerpiece of our communities, and strong public schools will help draw families and skilled workers and keep them in Iowa. I want to help Iowa be a place where public schools are top-ranked and where grown children will want to raise future grandchildren.

What I see as good for Iowa is maintaining access to reproductive rights. We all want young families to stay around, and they could be more likely to if they feel assured they have the freedom to make their own decisions about reproductive care with their doctor.

What I see as good for Iowa is safe communities. The proposed amendment to the Iowa Constitution requiring strict scrutiny of any firearms measures could allow challenge to existing safety measures, at taxpayer expense no less, likely making individuals and communities less safe.

I came out of retirement with the intention to reach across the political divide and listen to voters and constituents. I hope to promote common-sense solutions and lean toward majority-held positions. I intend to protect lawful votes. I plan to support public education, community safety, working families, privacy in the health care setting, and a clean environment. Vote for me, Eileen Beran, for Iowa House and I promise to do my best to represent my district and help Iowa.

Eileen Beran is the Democratic candidate in House District 92. Republican Heather Hora did not submit a column.