The June 4th Primary Election Day is less than a week away.
The Political Action Committee contacted the candidates in all the contested races in Des Moines and asked them to submit a 90-second video and respond to 6 questions about issues important to the Black community.
If you know someone who lives in the districts with contested races, please send the links to them so they can also be an informed voter.
Daniel's 90 seconds:
Daniel's Q & A's:
Question 1: In light of recent legislative actions that have expanded funding for Iowa's private school voucher program and passed legislation to provide legal and civil immunity to armed school staff in the event of a shooting, there are growing concerns about the impact on equity, safety, and accountability in our public education system. Considering the NAACP's commitment to equitable access to quality education, how do you plan to address the consequences of diverting public funds to private schools through these voucher programs? Moreover, regarding the new law now permitting the arming of school staff, what measures will you advocate for to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff in Iowa's schools while also upholding accountability and transparency?
Answer: I would support legislation that puts a stop to the diverting of public funds to private schools through the voucher programs. Public schools need to be fully funded, so that every child can have an equal chance to succeed. As for school safety, I would policies that are aimed at improving mental health and putting a stop to bullying. I believe that focusing on those two areas would have the greatest impact on improving school safety.
Question 2: Recent legislative actions, notably the passage of HF 2319, which seeks to ban basic income programs in Iowa, have sparked significant concern regarding their impact on low-income and working-class communities. These measures appear to be part of a wider effort to dismantle support systems essential for marginalized populations. As a candidate for the Iowa House, how do you plan to respond to these concerns? Specifically, what strategies will you propose to ensure that all Iowans, especially the most vulnerable, have access to resources and opportunities that foster economic stability and promote social mobility?
Answer: I would support policies that help the most vulnerable and I would oppose policies that make things more difficult for them. This is the way that the majority of my district would want me to represent them, and it is therefore the way that I would represent district 35 if elected.
Question 3: The recent passage of Senate File 2385 has raised serious concerns, as it is perceived as a setback to Iowa's rich civil rights history. This legislation weakens civil and human rights agencies and abolishes specific commissions aimed at protecting marginalized groups. Alongside other bills that limit diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, there appears to be a diminishing state commitment to the rights and dignity of all Iowans. How do you intend to counteract this erosion of civil rights protections and ensure continued voice and representation for marginalized communities in our state government? Furthermore, what specific actions will you take to preserve Iowa's historical role as a champion of civil rights and equality, and how will you actively promote policies that combat discrimination and uphold equality for all residents?
Answer: If elected, I would maintain a website where I would promote policies that uphold the civil rights and dignity of the marginalized and I would expose policies that do the opposite. I would use the platform, that comes being an elected official, for the betterment of marginalized communities.
Question 4: Effective legislation often depends not just on public speeches but on strategic actions during the early stages of a bill and building relationships with key influencers. Given the pivotal role of bipartisan cooperation, are you willing to work across the aisle and can you share examples of how you forge productive relationships with colleagues, particularly those with whom you have significant differences?
Answer: Yes, I would most definitely work across the aisle. In fact, the very reason why I'm running for the Iowa House is to work across the aisle to advance a groundbreaking bipartisan bill called the Right to Choose Life Act. This bill would give every pregnant female the option to disincentivize forced abortion. On my website, I present evidence, which shows that forced abortion is a real problem and that the Right to Choose Life Act is the solution. It would also resolve the longstanding debate over abortion, because it is both pro-choice and pro-life. Please visit my website RightToChoose.Life/Daniel to learn more about the Right to Choose Life Act and to sign the petition in support of the bipartisan policy.
Question 5: Many residents remain civically disengaged, often due to the demands of their daily lives and efforts to make ends meet. If elected, these individuals will be among your constituents. How do you plan to actively engage with these hardworking individuals? What strategies will you employ to ensure their concerns are heard and effectively represented in your legislative work?
Answer: I'm not an expert in this area, but I'm a good listener and learner. So, I would seek the guidance of those with expertise on social programs, so that we help people who are struggling develop the skills that they need to start getting ahead. As a veteran of the U.S. Army, I would also see to it that we take care of our veterans and always thank them for their service.
Question 6: Immigration has shaped Iowa's community landscape from its early days as a state, bringing diverse groups who sought new opportunities in response to both 'push' and 'pull' factors. As the NAACP, we advocate for humane and inclusive immigration policies that recognize the dignity of all people. How will you collaborate with relevant community stakeholders to promote fair and just immigration policies in Iowa, ensuring that immigrants and refugees are treated with respect and dignity? Additionally, given Iowa's rich history of welcoming various immigrant waves, how will you address the specific challenges faced by today's immigrant communities in areas such as healthcare, education, and employment to ensure they are integrated and supported within our state?
Answer: I have lived in Des Moines since 2012, and I can see that we do in fact have a very diverse population. I would look for ways we can celebrate our diversity. In our public schools, we need to give extra attention to children of non-English speaking families, since they start out at a disadvantage. We want our children to succeed, but we also want every child to have an equal chance to succeed. Immigrants are usually hard workers who appreciate living in America. We just need to make sure they receive decent pay and benefits, as we do for anyone else.
Other Iowa House District 35 candidates:
Angela Schreader - https://www.naacpdesmoines.org/post/angela-schreader-iowa-house-district-35