Deidre DeJear says states need to invest better in education

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (KCRG) – If you said the economy was the biggest issue in the 2022 Iowa gubernatorial election, Deidre DeJear would correct it.

Before appearing in the Cedar Rapids campaign, she said in a one-on-one interview with KCRG-TV, “If I disagree, I think the biggest problem in our state is education.

Also a Drake University alumnus and co-founder of the non-profit Buck 2 School Iowa, which helps students and provides school supplies, Dejah says that state legislators are discouraging Iowa students. says there is.

And it starts with money. Including his $1.9 billion budget surplus announced at the end of last year.

“Looking at the nearly $2 billion surplus, I asked myself what the costs are for our education system, mental health care, and reduced access to health and healthcare.”

DeJear said Iowa’s education needs to meet the needs of all students, not just high school graduates going to college.

“It’s very important to think holistically about education,” she said.

“With more than 90% of our state’s students enrolled in public schools, we need to make sure we provide what this system needs.”

“When we hear from management that we need to do more with far fewer resources, that should be a signal to us. Our children are graduating from high school vowing to never come back.It should be a signal to us.”

DeJear Background

DeJear was born in Jackson, Mississippi and moved his family to Oklahoma when he was still a child.

When she was eight years old, her mother died after giving birth to Deidre’s sister. She says she gained strength from “seeing her father exist for her and her brothers.”

DeJear attended Drake College in Des Moines and graduated with a BA in Journalism.

In his online biography, DeJear says he became “an early social impact entrepreneur during his school days.”

In 2018, she ran for statewide office and lost to Republican Paul Pate for Iowa’s election for Secretary of State.

DeJear says he’s a small business entrepreneur who has helped 600 businesses in Iowa “access affordable marketing tools and successful business strategies.”

Iowa abortion rights

DeJear says Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturning Roe v. Wade’s abortion ruling makes it “more obvious than ever” that governors are “at the forefront of defending their rights.” said.

“There are endless variables in pregnancy,” says DeJear.

“And just as science has taught us and research has taught us about abortion and reproductive care, we know a lot more than we knew 10 to 15 years ago. increase.

“This idea of ​​wanting to regulate this process black and white is, from my point of view, an infinitely different process, irresponsible and undemocratic.”

DeJear believes that the issue of abortion “should be left to the individual when it comes to seeing a doctor to make the decision that is best for him/herself, not having to consider other people’s opinions.” Not to mention politicians. “

Working with Republicans

If DeJear wins the November election, the Iowa House and Senate will very likely continue to dominate the Republican Party.

She still believes that working with Congress can bring about change in the state.

“I’m determined to bring us together. I don’t want to work across the aisle. I want to work in the middle of the aisle and bring people together to make a sustainable type of change,” she said. .

DeJear says her job is to debate the different perspectives of politicians on all sides as they delve into their ideological and constituent foundations.

“Like I said, I welcome these conversations because that’s how we get the best.”

You can watch the full interview below:

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