Essential Estrogen

Cayla Baresel is the first to admit that a successful campaign against Republican incumbent Pat Grassley in Iowa House District 17 is going to take a lot of work, but she says that she has the energy and dedication to get the job done.

At age 23, Baresel is the youngest woman currently seeking a legislative seat. She's also an Iowa native and a 2007 graduate of Wartburg College where she obtained her bachelor of arts degree in political science. Most recently, she's put shoe leather to asphalt in Butler and Bremer counties as a field organizer for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign. Baresel says expanding the voter and supporter grassroots network she's already helped forge will be key in her upcoming campaign.

"When I was working on the Clinton campaign, I developed even more of an attachment to this area and the people who live here," Baresel said. "As I met people and listened to their experiences, I became inspired and motivated to do all I could to make a difference for them. That's why I'm running. I really feel that things need to change and that the concerns of the people in this district need to be heard. Their concerns need to be addressed at the state level."

Before Baresel can go to work for constituents, however, she has a significant hurdle to overcome in Pat Grassley, grandson of long-standing U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley. In 2006, the House seat was vacated by Bill Dix when he decided to pursue an unsuccessful bid to represent Iowa's 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Grassley and Democratic candidate Alek Wipperman faced off in the state race. Of the nearly 12,000 votes cast, Grassley netted 55.5 percent.

"I'm excited about the opportunity, but I'm not suffering from any delusions. It's going to be tough, but I'm willing to work for it," Baresel said. "I know how tough this district is -- not just for me, but, historically, for any Democratic candidate -- and I'm going to use my energy and determination to give it my best shot."

While in most districts Baresel's age might play more of a role, it would be difficult for it to be factor against the 24-year-old Grassley. When first elected to office, he was younger than Baresel is now. One thing he has that she does not, however, is name recognition.

"I am a woman and I am young," she said. "I don't know how that will be initially perceived. What I hope is that people will see how hard I'm working -- that they'll see my motivation and the reasons for it. I've got to get my name out there."

Getting her name out there is going to be part of the learning experience, she says, and also something she's sure will "open a lot of doors" despite the fact that she never really pictured herself running for public office.

"I've always been interested in politics," she said. "I majored in it in college because I had an interest. But running for office? Not really. My friends would say to me, 'Oh, Cayla, you are so smart and I just know you're going to be president one day.' I'd roll my eyes and tell them, 'Oh yeah.' So, I guess it was something that I joked about, but never seriously wanted to pursue it until I became more involved after college graduation. Just talking to so many people in Bremer and Butler counties really motivated me to want to help. It also gave me the confidence I need to seriously think, 'I can do this.'"

Having grown up in a single-parent household in Iowa, Baresel says the issues she feels most deeply about are education and health care. Those are followed closely by concerns for the economy and a need for more biofuels technology and environmental issues.

"It was a challenge for my mother, but she did an excellent job [raising my sister and me] and working two jobs most of the time," Baresel said. "Higher education can sometimes feel as if it is out of reach. It's expensive now and it gets more and more expensive every year. I also know there are people in this district who can't afford health care premiums so they do without insurance. We've got to create more opportunities. We've got to give young Iowans a reason to remain in our state. Those are big concerns not only for the individuals in those situations, but for the district as a whole."

When the election is said and done, Baresel says she wants the voices and needs of the people to be the driving force in Des Moines.

"I've had the opportunity to hear the stories of the people in Butler and Bremer counties. I've heard what's important to them," she said. "I know I would represent them and this area well. I know I would be a good representative because I would always represent the people."