Hello Friend,
My name is Hannah Winkler, and Ryan is my husband. I work in the mental health field and have spent 10 years supporting children and families as a preschool teacher, mental health case manager, and children's mental health provider. I currently work with families in their homes using trauma-informed care, helping kids who have experienced instability, abuse, or serious mental health challenges.
Through this work, I see every day how policy decisions directly affect real families - whether it's access to school-based mental health services, financial assistance, affordable childcare, community mental health funding, or early intervention programs. When these systems are underfunded or overlooked, kids fall through the cracks. When we invest in them, we see families thrive.
I see the devastating impact that immigration enforcement practices are having on children's mental health. With this current administration, families are living in fear of separation. Children are missing school and are experiencing chronic stress and anxiety which can cause trauma. No child should have to worry about whether a parent will be taken away. Protecting children means standing up for humane policies that ensure all kids, regardless of immigration status, can grow up feeling safe and supported. This campaign represents the kind of support our families and communities deserve.
That's why I'm so proud of Ryan's leadership and commitment to expanding access to mental health care, strengthening public education, and building systems that support families instead of leaving them to navigate things alone.
Ryan's work to expand access to healthcare, raise wages, and invest in families makes a real difference for people. He has spent years in the legislature focused on supporting families and children, including work on:
- Paid family and medical leave
- Increasing the minimum wage
- Ensuring children being interviewed as victims of abuse can have a comfort item or support person with them
- Doubling funding for early childhood scholarships
If you believe in this work, I hope you'll consider showing up for it. Precinct caucuses on February 3rd are one of the ways neighbors come together to decide what we want our community to stand for. If you've already decided to support Ryan, caucus is a chance to help move this work forward. If you're still deciding, it's a place to listen, ask questions, and choose alongside the people you live next to.
I hope you'll plan to attend your precinct caucus and consider signing up as a delegate.
Thank you for being part of this important work.
- Hannah Winkler
