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Good afternoon, everyone!
My name is Brian Bruening, and I’m proud to run for State Senate. Since moving to Elkader with my partner, Frederic, in 2006 to open Schera's Restaurant, I’ve witnessed firsthand the strength and resilience of our communities. Eighteen years later, our restaurant is thriving, but I know our success is intertwined with the health of Elkader's downtown and broader community. When visitors come from Davenport or Des Moines, they don’t just dine with us; they stay at the local bed and breakfast, grab coffee at the nearby café, and explore the unique shops along Main Street. We’re all in this together—our fates tied to one another’s. I often talk about the importance of community interdependence. None of us can thrive in isolation. Yet, after over a decade of total Republican control, the quality of life in Iowa has steadily eroded. Their policies have torn at the very fabric of our communities. We’ve seen the detrimental impacts of private education vouchers that siphon funding from our public schools, disastrous legislation that have undermined our AEAs, and the privatization of Medicaid that has left our rural hospitals and nursing homes struggling, some even closing their doors. They’ve enacted one of the strictest abortion bans in the country, leaving women without essential care and creating an environment so hostile that Iowa now has the fewest OBGYNs per capita. Our teachers, instead of being trusted to guide our children, are micromanaged by politicians who have never stepped foot in a classroom. Every time a local school or hospital closes, it signals a deeper crisis. We risk losing our young people to cities and other states that offer better opportunities. When families leave, small businesses suffer, and our communities hollow out. My opponent, Mike Klimesh, has done little to address these pressing issues—just take a look at his voting record at mikeklimesh.com. The unraveling we’re witnessing is rooted in Republican’s relentless push for privatization and deregulation—an effort to undermine government’s role in our lives. But regulation isn’t a dirty word. It’s what keeps us safe. It ensures the food we eat is safe, the water we drink is safe, and the products we use are reliable. Meanwhile, MAGA legislators love to impose regulations on our personal lives while turning a blind eye to the corporations that shower them with political donations. They dictate what women can do with their bodies, what healthcare our children can access, and even what books they can read, but they have little interest in regulating the CAFOs and nitrate run-off that affect every single one of us and our quality of life. Our state motto’s change from “Fields of Opportunity” to “Freedom to Flourish” begs the question: Who is really flourishing in Iowa? Certainly not the families struggling in our district or the young people leaving for better prospects elsewhere. We need to act now. I will introduce a constitutional amendment to guarantee every Iowan’s right to clean air and water. I’ll advocate for stricter oversight of agricultural pollution and increased funding to fight rising cancer rates exacerbated by our current policies. We need to restore support for our public schools, for our AEAs, and repeal the harmful legislation that has undermined our communities and our personal and parental freedoms. Together, we can repair the damage done by Mike Klimesh and his colleagues. We must prioritize our local needs over divisive political theater. I’m committed to advocating for our people—not just in District 32 but across our state. This election is critical. Who we send to Des Moines to represent our interests is important. I care deeply about our community because this is my home, and I want to make it better for all of us. I ask for your support as I travel throughout the district. Whether through donations or volunteering, every effort counts. Please visit my website, brueningforiowa.com, to learn how you can help. But most importantly talk to your friends and family. And let them know I need their vote to help make our communities stronger. Thank you for your time and for your vote. Let’s work together for a better Iowa! |