Vincent Collis

Vincent Collis earned a high school diploma from Teaneck High School and a bachelor's degree from Seton Hall University in 2010. Collis' career experience includes working as a software engineer.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Vincent Collis is a software engineer and farmer. Born and raised in New York City by a public school teacher who believed a strong education was the foundation for a successful community, Vincent learned early the value of a quality education. He met his wife, Kristina Cook-Collis, during her pediatric residency at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines. Together, they chose to put down roots in her hometown of Waterloo, where they’re building their careers, starting a family, and fighting for their community together.

Vincent studied Public Relations and Journalism at Seton Hall University and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering and Cyber Security at Iowa State University. As a Software Engineer, he has spent the last decade building tools that help Democratic candidates connect with voters. Since settling in Waterloo, he has joined his father-in-law in running the family farm, producing row crops and operating a market garden that supplies fresh vegetables to the Waterloo Farmers Market and the Northeast Iowa Food Bank.

Vincent is focused on three urgent priorities: keeping rural hospitals open, standing with family farmers to protect Iowa’s water, and fully funding public schools.

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 in Iowa is collapsing, and working families are paying the price. While parts of District 61 has access to hospitals, surrounding communities our watching their hospitals disappear. Every rural hospital closure dumps patients into our emergency rooms, overwhelming providers and risking lives. My wife sees it as a pediatrician. Kids waiting too long for care, families driving hours because local hospitals shut down, mental health needs going unmet. I'll fight like hell to keep hospitals open, expand mental health services, anIowa's water crisis is everywhere. Its in the water families drink, rivers kids swim in, and wells rural neighbors rely on. Contaminants are linked to cancer, birth defects, and thyroid disease. Iowa has the second-highest cancer rate in the nation. Every year we wait, more families get sick. Every year we delay, costs rise and damage worsens.

I'll stand with family farmers like mine who are ready to be part of the solution. Together, we'll implement sustainable practices protecting our drinking water, our health, and the family farms that have been the Iowa's backbone for generations.Public schools prepare our kids for good jobs, strong families, and thriving communities. My mom was a public school teacher, I am the product of a public schools education, and that's why the deliberate under funding of school in Iowa is a tragedy.

I'll fight to restore full funding to shrink class sizes, support teachers, and give every kid the education they deserve. I'll protect the special education services our students need and make childcare and preschool accessible and affordable. Investing in kids from day one is how to build Iowa's future.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education, Healthcare, Environment

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

State Rep. Timi Brown-Powers

State Representative Jerome Amos Jr.