INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Iowans Trust Teachers, Public Schools & Reject Book Bans, Vouchers
Americans Voted for Reproductive Freedom
Blue Statehouse Alert Live on November 21

IOWANS TRUST TEACHERS, PUBLIC SCHOOLS & REJECT BOOK BANS, VOUCHERS

Iowans sent a strong message last night: enough is enough. They trust teachers and they value strong public schools. They soundly rejected extremism, book bans, and vouchers.

And it happened everywhere – rural, urban, and suburban.

Moms for Liberty is the latest radical, right-winged organization attacking public education across the country. From promoting book bans, demonizing educators, and spreading misinformation about curriculum, this extremist sect of polarizing individuals has pushed their politics in our classrooms right here in Iowa. Moms for Liberty chapters across Iowa endorsed 13 candidates in the 2023 school board races. Out of the 13, a single candidate won in the I35 school district; a rural district with fewer than 1000 students.

Here are just a few of the big wins on election night from around Iowa:

Carroll – The candidates endorsed by Moms for Liberty in this Western Iowa community all lost.

Johnston – After winning approval of their voucher scheme last session, the Family Leader and Bob Vander Plaats spent thousands trying to get their candidates elected to the school board. Every single one of them lost.

Linn-Mar (Marion) – Linn-Mar became the epicenter of the right wing’s anti-LGBTQ+ agenda when Gov. Reynolds and Congresswomen Ashley Hinson targeted the school district because the school tried to make sure every kid was safe and supported. Despite the national spotlight and relentless pressure from GOP politicians, voters stood strong for public schools and their kids.

Our thanks to all the Iowans who showed up on Tuesday and supported teachers, students, and our public schools.

AMERICANS VOTED FOR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM

Also last night, reproductive freedom was on the ballot in Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia. It won everywhere.

Voters in Ohio overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom. They stood with the majority of Americans who believe that politicians should not interfere with a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body. Women enjoy having human rights, and we vote. Iowa is no different.

In Kentucky, a red state President Biden lost by 26 points, Democratic Governor Andy Beshear was re-elected to another term. Abortion was a key issue and Republicans tried to win this race with culture wars.

In Virginia, the Republican Governor spent millions to gain control of the legislature, but Democrats kept the State Senate and even won back the State House. Those wins guarantee reproductive freedom for millions of people.

All over the country, Americans are rejecting MAGA and abortion bans.

In July, Iowa Republicans passed one of the most aggressive 6-week abortion bans in the country with little-to-no exceptions for rape or incest. It’s now held up in the courts but we imagine they will stop at nothing to resist the voices of the majority of Iowans and keep pushing an out-of-touch agenda.

It’s time for us to keep fighting right here in Iowa.

BLUE STATEHOUSE ALERT LIVE ON NOV. 21

We will back for the Blue Alert Live on Facebook on Tuesday, November 21. Join House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst for an update from the Iowa House.

Hope to see you on Facebook or Zoom!

Register for the discussion on ZOOM.

Watch live on Facebook.