Great profile of Deidre DeJear from Chuck Offenburger online:

[rurallib]

https://offenburger.com/index.php/can-deidre-dejear-eric-van-lancker-the-isiserettes-and-perhaps-the-obamas-re-awaken-the-soul-of-iowa/.

Like him I believe DeJear has a real chance. Reynolds has alienated a lot of Iowans.

Excerpt:

JEFFERSON, Iowa, July 18, 2022 — When Deidre DeJear accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for governor of Iowa at the state convention last month, she reminded the crowd that she came to this state 18 years ago “on a hope and a prayer.” She’d been “a little girl from Mississippi,” African American, who won a scholarship to Drake University in Des Moines. Four years later, she graduated in broadcasting and politics, became successful in business and public service, and now was beaming from the podium where she raised her hands and yelled, “Folks, we’re here! We’re here!”

Then the 36-year-old DeJear, from Des Moines, said something that put it all in perspective, a line that I think will resonate with people across this state, if they hear her repeat it.

“My story being possible in Iowa,” she said, “ensures that all our stories are possible.”

> {here speaking of Reynolds}

There is her questionable, seemingly iron-handed leadership during the COVID pandemic, which has killed more than 9,700 Iowans.

Since 2011, Branstad and then Reynolds have presided over a veritable dismantling of state government. Isn’t it about half the size it once was?

********************************************************************

Excellent article - a bit long but worth the time to get to know DeJear - our next governor I hope.