For a sensible state like Iowa, it's odd that we have yet to be represented in the federal government by a woman. All that can change, and you can help! Staci Appel is running for the House for the third district in Iowa. She's running against Tom Latham (very vulnerable) and she is a great candidate. Look at what folks are saying about her:
AFSCME link
“Iowans need Staci Appel in Washington. Her work in the Iowa Senate demonstrates that she knows how to improve the efficiency of government in a fair way that listens to the concerns of all. Staci Appel is someone who listens, learns, and unlike so many in the current US House Majority does not rush to judgment. Staci would be a breath of fresh air in Washington,” said AFSCME Iowa Council 61 President Danny Homan.
Emily's List link
“Americans across the country have made it clear that they are ready for women’s leadership, and the EMILY’s List community – now two million members from coast to coast – should get to know these six rising stars,” said Stephanie Schriock, President of EMILY’s List. “Alma, Staci, Erin, Pam, Emily, and Elisabeth are all smart, tough leaders who have tackled diverse challenges in their communities. They have what it takes to stand up to anti-woman Republicans, and move us forward with real solutions to our nation’s biggest problems, and we’re thrilled to support them during the early days of their campaigns.”
--------
THE CHANCE TO HELP ELECT IOWA'S FIRST CONGRESSWOMAN
Despite its long and rich political heritage, Iowa has yet to elect a woman to serve in Congress. Former state Senator Staci Appel is ready to make history in the Hawkeye State, challenging 10-term, Third District Rep. Tom Latham. Staci, whose campaign priorities include better schools, more affordable health care, protecting Social Security and Medicare and “passing a farm bill instead of bickering about it,” would be a breath of fresh air for southwest Iowans after nearly two decades of Latham’s signature Newt Gingrich-style conservatism.
A STEADFAST CHAMPION FOR HAWKEYE FAMILIES
During her five years in the state Senate, native Iowan Staci built both a record and a reputation as a champion for women and children. She worked to make college more affordable , and wrote and passed landmark legislation making quality preschool programs available to every Iowa family . Staci spearheaded the state’s Smokefree Air Act and introduced legislation to improve school lunches and reduce child obesity – while working tirelessly to make Iowa’s roads safer with mandatory seatbelts for minors and a ban on texting while driving. An advocate for voting rights, she backed legislation to introduce Election Day voter registration.
A GINGRICH REPUBLICAN IN A SWING DISTRICT PRESIDENT OBAMA WON BY 4 POINTS
Pro-choice, pro-education, pro-worker Staci is an ideal foil to Latham, who voted against helping ensure equal pay for women and for the ban on funding for Planned Parenthood, on whom low-income women depend for cancer screenings and preventative health care. Latham has voted in lockstep with Paul Ryan and John Boehner on preserving tax cuts for billionaires while ending Medicare as we know it. Staci’s record and values align more closely with the Third District, which went by four points for President Obama in 2012, and Latham is easily tied to House Republicans’ stonewalling on immigration reform, food assistance , and student loans – which could cost him moderate voters. Staci will be counting on the support of the EMILY’s List community to become the first Iowa woman to serve in Congress.
From her bio:
In a district President Obama carried in 2012 and is considered one of the Democrats’ “best pick-up opportunities in 2014,” Staci Appel will be challenging Tom Latham, a deeply flawed Congressman who EMILY’s List has already made a priority target in 2014.
The Appel-Latham match-up will prove to be one of the most highly-contested, closely-watched and fiercely-fought Congressional races in the country. Newspapers have already deemed Iowa’s 3rd Congressional seat “a swing district.” And strategists are already
acknowledging that Staci “will create problems for Latham among suburban voters and independent women.”
The stage has been set. The stakes couldn’t be any higher. The race couldn’t be any closer. And Staci Appel – our best chance to send Congressman Latham packing – couldn’t be any more determined to flip the Des Moines-based Congressional seat blue.
With her permission, her biography now can be downloaded
here (I hope that link works - if it doesn't please leave a comment and I'll keep trying)
Staci’s accomplishments as a State Senator “include health
care coverage for every child in Iowa, the 4-year-old preschool
program, a ban on smoking in restaurants and bars and an
increase in the minimum wage.” Des Moines Register 4/5/13
Iowa lost a district after the 2010 census. This district is the Des Moines district, which used to be held by a Democrat. It would be great to take it back. If you can, spare a little money for Staci Appel's campaign and help
take back the House.