Dr. Karen A. Larson

Running for Iowa’s 1st House District

Dr. Karen A. Larson taught Cultural Anthropology at Gustavus Adolphus College for 35 years. She spent her life teaching her students “the value of communication so that people of differing perspectives can understand each other.” Karen’s campaign theme is “Centered on Community.” She wants to support vibrant Iowa communities through “more honest conversation and less partisanship.”

I have become increasingly discouraged at how divisive American politics has become. I want to be a force to help bring us back to the traditional values that I see in rural Iowa, where people may disagree with one another, but they sit in the same pew at church and they support one another’s children.

Karen’s policies will help rural Iowa communities to grow and thrive. She believes that “the beating heart of every Iowa community is its school.” Teachers are respected professionals who deserve decent salaries and bargaining rights. This will bring out the best in Iowa’s teachers and, in turn, its students. Karen argues that support for mom and pop businesses will give people the jobs that support good lives. Investments in environmental protection make the lives and livelihood of rural agriculturalists sustainable.

Karen is the first Democrat to run for office in this district since 2010. She believes the Iowa legislature is moving away from traditional Iowa values of neighborliness and mutual regard. Her opponent, John H. Wills, has sponsored attempts to drug test public benefit recipients. He tried to change the state constitution to prevent same-sex marriage. Wills and his fellow Republicans have privatized Medicaid and attempted to ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. They have stripped collective bargaining rights from public employees and made it more difficult for Iowans to vote.

Help Karen to support vibrant Iowa communities by donating today!