John,

We have big, big challenges ahead. We can stick with the status quo or we can change things for the better. 

The way I see it, we need to: Fix, Fight and Secure Iowa’s future. 

We need to FIX our broken healthcare system. Iowans shouldn’t have to rely on donation boxes at gas stations or pancake breakfasts or a GoFundMe to pay for medical costs. We are the wealthiest country in the world and too many of us have to beg to pay for our healthcare. It’s demoralizing and it’s plain wrong. Here in Iowa, the privatization of Medicaid has cost the state more money and many people have received worse care. 

We need to FIGHT for an economy that works for everyone. We are living in the 2nd Gilded Age where corporate monopolies dominate entire industries. This leads to less entrepreneurship, fewer locally owned businesses and fewer opportunities in Iowa. We should be empowering our communities, not hamstringing local businesses in favor of giant corporations. We must “Grow Iowa” but not at the expense of workers, consumers or communities. 

We need to SECURE our children’s future. Iowa used to be “First in the Nation in Education.” But Iowa Republicans at the Capitol are defunding our public schools and attacking our educators. It’s as if they’ve forgotten how important access to a quality education is for families. It’s time we prioritize and invest in public education again, and support our educators, students and parents alike. 

We can do better, John. We can secure a future that works for and serves all of Iowa’s communities. We just have to come together and fight to make it happen.

Standing Tall for All, 

J.D. Scholten 

If you'd like to send a check to Scholten for Iowa, please mail it to: Scholten for Iowa, P.O. Box 5351, Sioux City, IA 51102.