Rachel Burns

Rachel Burns earned a high school diploma from Irvine High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from California State University, Fullerton in 2003, a graduate degree from California State University, Fullerton in 2006, and a degree from Western Iowa Tech Community College in 2016. Her career experience includes working as a speech-language pathologist, adjunct instructor at community colleges, volunteer firefighter, volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT), and medical examiner investigator for multiple counties. She holds national certification as a firefighter.[1]

Burns has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

American Speech-Language Hearing Association

National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians

Kiron Fire Department, Inc.

Iowa Firefighters Association

Iowa Donor Network

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Speech-Language Pathologist, Educator, First Responder, and Democratic Candidate: Giving Iowans a choice for House District 7.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

HEALTHCARE:

Healthcare for ALL is the goal. Publicly funded, single payer insurance saves everyone money. We need to increase taxation on the extremely wealthy to support these programs.

For now, we need to protect Medicaid, Medicare, and Affordable Care Act premium tax credits.

Medicare coverage for telehealth must be reinstated and protected now. Telehealth is crucial for rural Iowans, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Access to mental health and substance abuse care for ALL.

Reproductive care is a right: we need access and choice.

Keep rural hospitals open!

Address the cancer crisis through funding science.EDUCATION:

Public money for public schools: end the corrupt voucher system.

Progress for ALL kids at their level.

Invest in our kids: we need free breakfast and lunches in public schools.

Rebuild Area Education Agencies instead of stripping them away.DAY TO DAY SURVIVAL:

Living wages for ALL.

LGBTQ+ rights are human rights.

No eminent domain for private gain.

Protect the second amendment -- and promote safer access through universal background checks, affordable safe storage, mental health screenings for children, and affordable, accessible mental health services for ALL.

Farmers deserve the Right to Repair.

We need tariffs off our goods.

Access to healthy, local food choices.

Due process for ALL.

Immigrants make Iowa better.

Iowans deserve clean water.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My education and experience make me well equipped to address healthcare and education.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty and transparency are the most important traits of an elected official.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Someone who is elected to this office needs to be able to listen to constituents, represent regular working people, and possess excellent critical thinking skills.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to help other young, progressive leaders represent our state.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event that I remember from my childhood was the Challenger explosion. It happened on my mother's birthday when I was in kindergarten.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I started volunteering with toddlers who had disabilities when I was only 13 years old. I have stayed in that field ever since.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion because I read it as a teenager and the themes of social upheaval stuck with me.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

As a medical examiner investigator, I have seen many horrific situations. I was able to show up and do the work with real empathy and compassion.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The governor and state legislature must work together to achieve the best outcomes possible for regular, working people.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

The greatest challenge in our state is to stop the fighting in government and start working together to benefit all Iowans.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

It is crucial to build relationships with other legislators. As a first responder, I have been able to work with various individuals and groups under extremely dangerous emergency situations and achieve the best possible outcomes.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Medicaid for All funded by taxing the extremely wealthy

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Progressive Democrats of American Iowa Chapter

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

I built an ambulance service from the ground up that is staffed 24/7 by volunteer emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in rural Iowa.