It's almost like déjà vu. Four years ago Lori Sokolowski knocked on doors and visited with neighbors in hopes of electing a Democratic candidate to Iowa House District 53. Four years ago, however, she was campaigning on behalf of her husband, Dick.
"I was his campaign manager," Sokolowski said. "We were both qualified, so we ran the campaign as a partnership. Although, at that time, he was the official candidate. When he lost, we both just looked at each other and we knew this wasn't over."
The Sokolowski couple knew it wasn't over because there was still a great deal of work to do if they were going to capture their primary goals of educating on rural affairs and advocating for northwest Iowa.
"I've spent pretty much my entire life farming in Cherokee County," Sokolowski said. "I grew up on a farm, and my husband and I started farming together in 1976. I also began my own livestock business in 1983. We've been able to ride out the storms of the 1980s and 1990s."
The farming crisis and the following commodity pricing concerns led Sokolowski to become more and more active in terms of shaping national and state agriculture policies.
"It was at least 10 years ago that I traveled to Des Moines to advocate for independent pork producers. We're members of the Iowa Pork Producers and Iowa Farm Bureau and had concerns at that time as to how independent pork producers were going to survive," she said. "I spoke with many agricultural organizations -- the Iowa Farmers Union being one of them. After I learned more, I ended up joining the IFU and deciding I was going to be a northwestern Iowa advocate for rural issues."
She organized and founded the Siouxland Chapter of the Iowa Farmers Union (IFU) in 2001 and has since received several National Farmers Union leadership awards. She became an IFU board member and was appointed to the legislative and membership committees, educating legislators in a bipartisan fashion and advocating for rural issues.
"I've covered a lot of legislation," she said with a quick laugh. "I've worked on agricultural to environmental issues, from renewable energy to trade policy. I've worked on two farm bills. I've advocated for rural health care. It was the legislators in Des Moines who have always encouraged me to become more politically involved."
In addition to the 2002 and 2007 farm bills, Sokolowski addressed the Rural Development Title, Farm and Nutrition Program. She participated in a coalition of agricultural organizations supporting a competition title and conservation security program. She has also advocated reforming anti-trust laws, and accepting fair international trade agreements. She contributed to a USDA feasibility study within a 100-mile radius of Sioux City to sell processed meat and fish produce in institutions. That study was expanded to help start the farmers market in Sioux City.
"Because of the leadership in the Democratic Party over the past few years, I think we have made some improvements and changes that needed to take place in legislation, but sometimes we don't have maybe as many people or friends in the Legislature that understand all of the rural issues and what we face every day," she said. "Rural northwest Iowa so often is overlooked in the Legislature. I feel that through my experience and first-hand understanding of the struggles that the families face, I will truly be an advocate for my constituents."
It isn't, however, just agriculture-related issues that gets Sokolowski fired up.
"Last year I added a new job to my responsibilities," she said. "I began working with a nonprofit and helping people with disabilities. Because Cherokee County has one of the state's mental institutions, the facility plays a big role here in terms of employment and quality of life. We simply have not received adequate assistance from the state in trying to get people qualified for mental health care or with the issue of parity. Although discussions about people with disabilities are often uncomfortable and unpopular, Cherokee County, in particular, has a vested interest -- as should the state -- for having these conversations and finding effective solutions."
House District 53 has been represented by Republican Dan Huseman since 1994. Sokolowski knows it will be difficult to defeat the long-term incumbent, but said she no longer feels her gender will be as much of an issue.
"I've asked several people if we've ever elected a woman to serve at the state level and no one can give me an answer. So, as far as I know, I'll be the first," she said. "That's actually one of the reasons Dick stepped up instead of me to run four years ago. We thought that the people might be more apt to accept a man.
"Because of the presidential candidates -- a woman and a black man running for president -- I think that we are undergoing a change. I'm not sure if it really matters that I'm a woman -- definitely not to the extent that it might have four years ago. Although this is a very big step, I think that because of the things I've accomplished and how hard I've worked as an advocate for western Iowa, gender won't be an issue. I can look at the voters, show them what I've already done and say to them, 'This is what I've already done for you. This is why I need to go on to the next level.' I can bring and forge a connection of urban and rural -- something that is very necessary for those of us in western Iowa to do in order to survive."
She sounds like a great candidate that really knows the area and the people. Best of luck to her -- best of luck to western Iowa. (God knows they need it!)