Report from the ground: HD66 Primary
Ashlan Shaw is an intern with the Fairness Fund. She is working to re-elect Ako Abdul-Samad for Iowa Statehouse District 66 in Des Moines.
I joined the Fairness Fund as an intern in May. I’ve always believed that people deserve to be treated equally regardless of sexual orientation. As a native Iowan, I was excited when Iowa granted marriage equality for same-sex couples. Working for the Fairness Fund has given me the opportunity to help elect fair minded candidates like Ako. I’m determined to see him re-elected on June 8.
This race is important and marriage equality is at the center of it. Clair Rudison Jr., Ako’s anti-gay democratic challenger, has said that if elected he would be in favor of allowing the public to vote on a constitutional amendment to abolish same-sex marriage in Iowa. Ako is a long-time civil rights advocate who has already opposed a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. He has also worked hard to improve his community. He is the founder of Creative Visions Human Development Center, a non-profit that helps Iowans find jobs and receive family assistance, and supported the Iowa Safe Schools Bill. This election is crucial for keeping a pro-equality, community advocate in House District 66 and preventing discrimination from being written into the constitution.
I’ve spent many hours campaigning for Ako making phone calls, urging volunteers to attend phone banks, door knocking around the community, and asking people to vote early. There is less than one week left until the election so it is vital that we turn out pro-equality voters to support Ako.
Next Tuesday is election day. The Fairness Fund will be working around the clock to see that Ako is re-elected. Stay tuned to the Fairness Fund website, Facebook page, and Twitter page for more updates from the campaign trail between now and next Tuesday.
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