Senate District 21: Connie Ryan faces Claire Celsi in Democratic primary
Democrat Connie Ryan is running for the open Iowa Senate District 21 seat, which includes portions of Des Moines’ south and west sides, West Des Moines and Cumming.
The seat is being vacated by Sen. Matt McCoy who is running for the Polk County Board of Supervisors.
Ryan faces fellow Democrat Claire Celsi in the June 5 primary. The winner will face Republican Brian B. Bales in the general election.
► POLK COUNTY ELECTION OFFICE:Find sample ballots, polling places and more
► POLLING LOCATION: Find out where to vote on June 5
Connie Ryan
Age: 54
Place of birth: Akron, Ohio
Grew up: Des Moines
Current home: Des Moines
Education: Roosevelt High School, 1982; Drake University, B.A. sociology, 1987; University of Iowa, master's degree social work, 2002
Work history: Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, executive director, 2002-present; First Christian Church, director of family ministry, 1996-2006; private attorney and guardian ad litem specializing in juvenile/CINA cases, case manager, 1996-2002; in-home daycare, self-employed, 1993-1996; Department of Human Services, case manager for adults with disabilities, 1989-1993; Link Associates, case manager for adults with disabilities, 1986-1989
Political experience: As executive director of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, I have lobbied for the organization for the last eight legislative sessions. advocating on a spectrum of issues. I have decades of experience working as an public voice and advocate on civil rights, public education and challenging extremism.
Civic involvement: Friends of Iowa Legal Aid, board member; Iowa Immigration Education Coalition, co-founder and board chairperson; Iowa Citizen Action Network (ICAN), board chairperson; Iowa Safe Schools Task Force for GLBT Youth, board member and treasurer; One Iowa, board member; Justice Not Politics (JNP), president
Religion: Christian
Website: www.connieryanforiowa.com
Twitter:@ConnieRyanIowa
Facebook: ConnieRyanIowa
LinkedIn:Connie Ryan
Top three issues:
Strong public schools for all children: The state has underfunded public schools for the last decade harming our children’s future and Iowa’s long-term economic stability. I will prioritize public education funding at a level that addresses rising costs to schools and allows us to retain our quality education professionals. I will champion the extension of SAVE so public schools can address infrastructure needs. I will enhance learning opportunities and supports including additional school counselors and extended ELL funding. I will ensure tax dollars support public schools for the 93 percent of Iowa children and aren’t diverted to pay for private education.
Fixing Medicaid: I will end Medicaid privatization doing so strategically so as to cause the least harm to vulnerable Iowans and medical providers. The governor unilaterally privatized Medicaid in 2016 by executive order causing some on Medicaid, including low-income children, pregnant women, elderly and people with disabilities to not receive necessary services and many providers to not be paid in a timely manner. I will first ensure oversight and accountability in the current system to address those concerns. I will then systematically transfer Medicaid back under the direction of the state so that service is the priority, not profit.
Protecting a woman’s right to control her body and life: Conservative legislators have gravely harmed women’s basic civil rights for reproductive health care and abortion. Additionally, they have limited access to family planning services. I will always stand up for a woman’s right to control her own body, make her own health care decisions and to have easy access to affordable health care. Every person has the right to her or his religious beliefs. They do not have the right to infringe on another person’s freedoms or privacy based on those religious beliefs.