Hart: Congress needs to hear from regular Iowans

Growing up in a politically divided house in rural Iowa with eight brothers and sisters, our dinner table conversation was pretty lively but it was at that dinner table that I learned one of life's most important lessons. As a young woman, rheumatic fever left my mother with a damaged heart and just a whisper for a voice. I learned from her that the most important voice in the room and in your life, can be the voice you have to lean in to hear.

Years later I moved to Clinton County as a student teacher. I met my husband, Paul, and we raised our five children on our family farm. I spent more than twenty years teaching in rural schools, before I was elected to the Iowa Senate where I worked across the aisle to foster job creation, increase access to health care and improve education.

Now, I'm running for Congress because Washington needs to hear from regular Iowans. Congress needs to hear from patients and seniors who are counting on us to improve our health care system. Unlike my opponent, I won't strip health care from 230,000 Iowans. Repealing the ACA would allow companies to charge an age tax, increase prescription drug costs and discriminate against people with preexisting conditions.

Washington needs to hear from workers, farmers and small business owners who need relief. I worked with both parties to grow our economy as a state senator and I'll take that same approach to Washington to invest in education and infrastructure. We need to cut taxes, innovate so our small business can compete, and foster public-private partnerships that allow Iowans to get ahead and stay ahead.

Finally, Washington needs to hear from all of us who are tired of corruption and politicians who put personal profit and special interests ahead of their constituents. It's time to combat political corruption, ban members of Congress from becoming lobbyists, end partisan gerrymandering, and get special interest money out of politics.

I'm proud to have earned the support of people from all walks of life on this campaign. Whether you are a Democrat, a Republican or an independent, we want you on this team. I believe we need more leaders in Washington who will bring people together to deliver for Iowa. To get involved, join our campaign at ritahart.com.

Rita Hart is a Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Iowa's 2nd District.