Let’s work together on issues

Anne Fairchild | Candidate for House District 78

People are tired of politics as usual. Me, too. Let’s talk instead.

Let’s talk about experience. I’m proud to say I don’t have any political experience. I’ve not been employed by a campaign or a political party. I never envisioned politics for my future. I was frustrated no Republican was running in my district. I’ve lived my life believing we can’t expect others to do what we aren’t willing to do ourselves. I’m standing up as a citizen representative to ensure our community has a choice. Election by default isn’t right. Voters should never be taken for granted.

Still, experience does matter. My first job was at “Taco Kid” on my 14th birthday. I’ve worked throughout my life, in Cedar Rapids and later, the Twin Cities. After college, with a tough economy, I worked through a temp agency until I landed my first retail management position. Retail is hard — working nights, weekends, and holidays. My goal was to lead in product management. I went back to school to get my MBA. An internship in heavy duty trucking turned into full-time job until I completed my masters. Banking was my first product management role. I worked hard and held different banking and credit card industry roles, operations management, marketing, and more product management after a corporate relocation to Atlanta. I gained almost 40 years of diverse business experience.

I returned to Cedar Rapids near family, and remembered being able to talk about anything. We had lively discussions. We listened to others’ points of view. We could agree to disagree, yet still sit together for dinner as friends and neighbors. I miss those days, and from what I hear, you miss those days, too.

We have a lot in common. We want great educations for our kids, safe communities, and we want to be productive. This is where we need to focus our efforts. Let’s sit down together, have constructive discussions and hear different perspectives. Let’s work together and come up with creative solutions.

We can restore civility and respect. Become the neighbors who came together after the derecho in August 2020.

In Iowa’s House of Representatives, I will represent you, the voters in District 78. I will have the conversations, listen to different perspectives, and consider all options presented, just as I have done in business for close to 40 years. It’s about doing what’s right, not what’s easy. I never shy away from a challenge.

Anne Fairchild is the Republican candidate in House District 78.