The November ballot features two names in the race for a seat on the Des Moines County Board: incumbent Tom Broeker (R) and challenger Laura Blanchard (D). Blanchard said she brings a fresh perspective to the office.
About
Laura Blanchard grew up in north central Iowa and moved to Mediapolis in 2011. She and her husband, Eric, now live in Burlington with their daughter. Blanchard previously worked as a special education teacher. She currently works at a chiropractic office and serves on several volunteer boards and commissions in Des Moines County.
Why Running
Blanchard said the political climate during the past two years has opened her eyes. She said it came to a head when the Des Moines County Board chose not to financially support a replacement for the shuttered Planned Parenthood clinic in Burlington.
Blanchard tried to show her support for the clinic by attending meetings and securing petition signatures, but she felt her effort did not matter.
“I just really felt like I was not being heard,” said Blanchard. “My voice was being drowned out. So I kind of figured if I don’t feel like I have a voice and if other people feel the same way, why not run and be that voice for myself, my daughter and others who feel the way I do.”
Top Priorities
Blanchard said her top priorities, if elected, would be to improve services for individuals with mental health and other developmental disabilities, promote economic development, and work to attract more people to live and work in Des Moines County. She said by growing the tax base, the county could afford to fund "non-mandated" services, including a health educator.
Opponent
Incumbent Tom Broeker is the Republican Party nominee for the Des Moines County Board.
