Iowa legislative candidates discuss priorities with Iowa Democratic Black Caucus, ahead of June 4 primary elections
The Iowa Democratic Black Caucus, the voice for Black people within the Iowa Democratic Party, has resumed its monthly call.
About 35 people attended the Iowa Democratic Black Caucus meeting virtually on May 5. President Al Womble said the monthly call with candidates, politicians, community leaders and community members is back after being on hiatus.
The primary elections will be held on June 4. Here are important dates from the Iowa Secretary of State's Voter Ready:
Wednesday, May 15 – First Day of Absentee Voting
Monday, May 20 – Pre-registration Deadline; Deadline to Request Absentee Ballot to be Mailed received by the County Auditor prior to 5 p.m.
Monday, June 3 – Absentee Ballot In-Person Deadline
Tuesday, June 4 – Absentee Ballots Receipt Deadline; Election Day. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots must be received in the county auditor’s office prior to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Womble gave each candidate about four minutes to speak on the Zoom call.
Democrats agreed about the need for more mental health funding and awareness, women’s reproductive freedoms and public education, among other priorities.
State Rep. Mary Madison, who is running for reelection in Iowa House District 31, said more people need to become involved.
“People would say, ‘If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,'” she said. “That’s literally true. I have seen that happen in legislation . . . It does sway people if you can get enough people — enough voices — because the voices and the people represent votes.”
Longtime activist and union lobbyist John Campbell is one of five candidates running for Iowa House District 34. State Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad retired from the seat last month after 18 years. Campbell said he has organized voter campaigns and served on state commissions.
“Important things that need to be addressed about district 34 — income, housing and quality health care and voting rights,” he said. “I think I can carry things forward. I’ve had the experience of working with legislators.”
West Des Moines city councilmember Renee Hardman asked Campbell what brings him the most “consternation” about this legislative session and what would he do about it?
Campbell said he was concerned about public money being used for private schools and funding for teachers. He said the governor’s actions and lack of school funding has meant Iowa doesn’t have quality teachers wanting to stay in Iowa.
Campbell said solutions include educating citizens and uniting Iowans, including those from rural communities.
“We have to ally with other people who are disadvantaged and work together to stop this onslaught on the public school system,” Campbell said.
Community activist Rob Johnson thanked Abdul-Samad, who has endorsed him for Iowa House District 34. Johnson said his priorities include education and women’s rights.
“I don’t want you at my doctor’s appointments, and women don’t want the government at theirs,” Johnson said.
He stressed the importance of mental health funding in the state. He said he plans to host a mental health forum in late May to help youth and adults and reduce the stigma associated with mental health. He said he’s been out on calls in the community with Abdul-Samad when families have experienced mental health challenges.
“I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been at the hospital, trying to make sure that families are taken care of and then we’ve even had to step in and help take care of funeral costs and help take care of burial costs for families because we are not doing what we need to do when it comes to mental health,” Johnson said.
Samy El-Baroudi is also running for Iowa House District 34. He has taught in the Des Moines school district for 29 years. He said what’s happening with the Republican majority is “atrocious.” He is fighting for education, reproductive care, mental health, voter rights and affordable housing, he said.
“We have so many fights,” he said. “I believe education is the linchin that puts all of that together.”
Tiara Mays-Sims, who is running for Iowa House District 43, said her top priority is public education.
“Public education is the great equalizer,” she said.
Mays-Sims said she works in health care and the state that wants to “take women’s reproductive rights” doesn’t have enough OBGYNs “in the first place.” When she was pregnant with twins, she developed a dangerous condition, preeclampsia.
“We’re a maternal desert. How we are trying to force women into childbirth is absolutely asinine when we can’t promise that they’ll survive childbirth,” she said.
She said Republicans don’t want to have those conversations.
State Rep. Ross Wilburn of Ames is running for a fourth term in Iowa House District 50. He is the ranking Democrat on the judiciary committee. He also serves on the appropriations and Veterans Affairs standing committees and the justice system appropriations subcommittee. He said Iowans aren’t in love with either of the major political parties right now. Wilburn, who was Iowa City’s first Black mayor and worked to elect former President Barack Obama in 2012, said Democrats’ people over politics platform includes support for public education, raising wages, reproductive health care and legalizing marijuana for adult medicinal and recreational use.
Even if people don’t vote, “politics will find a way to get into you,” he said. “So get your family and friends to vote on the issues that they care most about.”
Abdul-Samad said they want to start building the number of people on the monthly caucus call. He said they’ll also begin to push for donations and work on membership.
“We want everybody to understand how imperative it is for us to move our Democratic Black Caucus to a whole different level,” he said
Abdul-Samad said April Wells has been named the vice chair of the caucus.
Other speakers on the call included State Rep. Jerome Amos Jr. Lanon Baccam and Melissa Vine, both Democrats vying for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District against Republican incumbent Zach Nunn, also spoke.
The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 2.