From Carissa’s website

“Carissa is a country kid, whose family raised horses and participated in 4H. Growing up, she spent time riding the combine with her grandfather. That farm has been in her family since her great, great grandfather Carl Jonas immigrated to the US in 1866. She also fed calves with her other grandfather, a WWII veteran who left school to farm and then served his country. Education was so important in her family that her grandfather finally fulfilled a lifelong dream of graduating from high school at the age of 80. Her grandmothers did everything on the farm and also spent time in careers as a teacher and nursing aid.”

Watch this powerful video about why Carissa is running.