Iowa has incredible opportunities

Liz Bennett | Senate District 39

My name is Liz Bennett, and I have had the honor to serve my friends and neighbors as a state Representative for the past eight years. During this time, I’ve become known for leading on principle and making decisions based on how laws will impact everyday Iowans, particularly those who often go unheard. While standing firm on the values I promise my constituents I will represent in the legislature, I have actively sought opportunities to build relationships across-the-aisle resulting in a bill I originally wrote, the Gay and Trans Panic Defense Ban, passing a Republican state House twice. I ask for your support to take my passion and experience to the state Senate as your Senator from Iowa Senate District 39.

As a young professional, I’ve had incredible opportunities here in Iowa. I worked my way through college, first attending Kirkwood Community College and then graduating from Cornell College. While many of my friends left the state as so many do, I stayed because I passionately believe in the opportunities Iowa can offer: I am driven to ensure that every other Iowan has the opportunities that I have had. When we prioritize education, opportunity, our environment, and an inclusive state, we can build a state where our friends, kids, or grandkids either want to stay, or are excited to return to raise a family.

Three areas in need of urgent attention are public education, child care availability and costs, and water quality. At this time in our state, meaningful action on child care is critical. The lack of child care and the expense of available spots is a barrier for Iowans pursuing education and for Iowans who would like to join or rejoin the workforce. Public education has been chronically underfunded, resulting in teachers leaving the profession, struggling schools and declining rankings, and loss of bragging rights. The ability to attend a strong public school is the birthright of every Iowa child and it’s a critical quality-of-life factor as we seek to attract and retain workforce. Iowa’s impaired waterways harm our health, cost taxpayers money for water treatment, and harm our outdoor economy. It’s time to clean them up.

I invite voters to visit my website, www.lizbennett.com to learn more about my work. Thank you to all who took the time to read this column, and I hope to earn your vote.

Liz Bennett is the Democratic candidate in Senate District 39