A packed house showed up for a meet and greet with Dr. Shawn Ellerbroek on Thursday, May 9th at the Waverly Area Veterans’ Post. Ellerbroek is running for Iowa House of Representatives District 57, to be a voice for Butler County and Western Bremer County at the State Capitol. This event, hosted by local and regional supporters, was held to introduce Dr Ellerbroek to voters and to listen to the concerns Iowans have about decisions being made in Des Moines.
The event opened with a social, including snacks and drinks, before the nearly 100 attendees focused their attention on the Pledge of Allegiance and an introductory statement by Dr. David Rathe of Waverly. Rathe described Ellerbroek’s education and community service and pressed particularly on the job of a parent.
“Being a parent is the single most important and difficult job there is in my opinion; and if there was one thing that I could convey to you, to help lead you to understand, trust and want to vote for Shawn, it is that he and Angie are great parents, and have raised a beautiful and loving family.”
Ellerbroek approached the podium to a roomful of applause and painted a picture of his childhood in Sioux City, including how his father, Gregory Ellerbroek, persevered to become the first of his family to graduate college and ultimately become Chief Federal Probation Officer for the Northern District of Iowa. Influenced by the importance their father placed on education, justice, and fairness, Shawn and his sister chose careers in education and law respectively. That feeling of responsibility to others certainly also influenced Shawn Ellerbroek’s involvement in Rotary, his desire to run and serve on the Waverly-Shell Rock Board of Education, and his service with the nonprofit Water to Thrive.
Ellerbroek labeled himself both fiscally conservative and socially liberal, lamented the loss of Iowa’s more moderate political past, citing how Senators Harken and Grassley worked together with common sense, and the ability to see issues from different points of view. They were working together to make positive change. That cooperative environment and that Charles Grassley no longer exist.
From the audience, retired teacher Mike Aubrey agreed, proclaiming “I am an Abraham Lincoln republican. There is no Abraham Lincoln left in the republican party.”
Ellerbroek stated “Today, we have a Republican trifecta without guardrails passing destructive legislation, much of which appears provided by the American Legislative Exchange Council and other national influence.”
This build-up drew the candidate into an impassioned list of where he stands on matters concerning education, access to healthcare, accepting and appreciating our differences, and the environment. Asked by attendee Bob Wyatt of Shell Rock to identify his top three priorities, Ellerbroek cited quality pre-K through 12 education, access to healthcare, and the environment.
Retired pastor and former Waverly mayor, Charles Infelt complemented Ellerbroek’s tone and made a plea for more love, “We don’t have enough love for our neighbors, the children, the land, or our water to act in ways that serve each.” Bob Wyatt added, “Iowa is severely under-serving its elderly and its young.”
“(Iowa has) a Republican trifecta without guardrails passing destructive legislation”
Waverly obstetrician and gynecologist, Dr. Emily Boevers contrasted real outcomes of states limiting access to safe abortion procedures against those that don’t legislate those decisions. Dr. Boevers referenced recent data that suggested 62% of young people report they would not move to a state with abortion restrictions, and abortion bans are associated with poor patient outcomes, worsening infant mortality, and increased peripartum homicide.
Ellerbroek shared a sobering statistic: Iowa has the 2nd largest cancer rate in the nation and is the only state in the US where cancer rates are increasing. With demographics comparable to neighboring states, some attention needs to be pointed to our land and water practices.
The Shawn for Iowa campaign to elect Dr. Ellerbroek is focused on connecting with the community and raising the funds needed to manage a competitive campaign. Ellerbroek and supporters can be seen in meet and greets scheduled around the district and upcoming parades. Watch for information here, on Facebook or on Instagram.
