This year, Iowa is a swing state! Democrats have the probability of picking up three of the state’s four US Congressional seats, as well as the US Senate seat where there is an election. The Republican party has a supermajority in the Iowa House of Representatives by a single seat: if Democrats win at least 34 seats (they currently hold 33), they will break the Republican supermajority!

One of these Democrats is Elinor Levin (she/her), a queer millennial former teacher who is running for her third term in the Iowa House. Motivated to run for office by legislative attacks on queer people, Elinor is a fighter for numerous causes in the House. An environmentalist since the second grade, and a vegetarian since age 12, Elinor serves on the Environmental Protection committee and is the ranking member on the Natural Resources committee. Elinor supports healthcare for everyone, water/air/soil rights, sustainable energy, and the body autonomy rights of women.

Where are you based?
Iowa City, IA

What is your position/what position are you running for?
State Representative, Iowa House District 89

How would you briefly summarize your platform?
I focus on education, energy, and environmental policy, including water, soil, and air. I also dedicate myself to International Relations in Iowa and, as a queer Iowan, policies impacting LQBTQIA+ folks, and, as a military spouse, policy impacting veterans and active duty service members.

What inspired you to run?
I ran because I love this place. It is my chosen home, and I want other young people to be able to see a future for themselves here. Unfortunately, I saw many more people leaving, not feeling Iowa was a safe place for them and their family, not believing they'd be able to achieve their personal and professional goals.

What change are you hoping to bring to your district and country?
I want to ensure that every one of us has safe, secure housing, affordable access to medical care, healthy food systems and environment, and opportunities to work and thrive in future-ready fields.

How long have you been in office? What do you consider to be your major accomplishments so far?
First elected in 2022, my major accomplishments have been in two areas. The first is getting pivotal improving amendments on bills that have passed the House, such as a bill attacking homeless services in 2026 and one mistakenly seeking to penalize County Recorders for fraudulent documents filed with their offices in 2023. The second is in making voices heard in rooms where they deserve that respect. For example, when an attempt at a drag ban bill came before us in 2025, I was able to cede my time to ensure that more members of the public were able to testify to the direct harms, including a trans professional musician who would have been unable to continue her her vocation.

What do you feel are the most important issues right now, why, and how do you plan to tackle them?
There is so much that can be done to make Iowa a place people are excited to call home, particularly access to healthcare; secure, affordable housing; educating and recruiting people for 21st century careers; and ensuring that all Iowans know how valuable they are to our communities. We need to connect rural Iowa, improve water quality, and encourage entrepreneurship and creativity. We need to protect Iowans’ safety and steward our land and animals. We need definitive investments in Public Education to include the addition of pre-K to our public school systems, increases in teacher compensation, and improvements to course offering that leverage modern access to global learning.

Human bodies require regular maintenance, which makes accessible, affordable healthcare a right. This must include preventative care, long-term care, mental health care, medications, dental care, and vision care, among so many other vital services. People must be able to see care providers with whom they feel comfortable in a safe and reasonable amount of time. Healthcare access can no longer be linked to employment, to marriage, or to economic status.

America is extremely divided these days. How would you hope to bridge that divide with your constituents to better unite Americans?
I come to every discussion from a place of inquiry, meaning I tend to bring a lot of questions to the table and leave my assumptions behind. This has served me well in my time in the Legislature, particularly in subcommittees where, due to the current makeup of the legislature, a subcommittee is made up of 1 Democrat and 2 Republicans. Regardless of who my colleagues are on that committee, I take our role seriously and come prepared, fully understanding the bill before us and ready to discuss, whether I am initially supportive or initially unsupportive. I have been able to engage in real, productive conversations about potential legislation with my colleagues, and regularly to see legislation tabled (set aside) or improved through my work. Every member of the House was elected just as I was, and I see our responsibility as working together to select the best policies to improve the lives of Iowans.

How do you see your unique identity and background to be an asset to you in office?
I’m an Iowan by choice twice over, and I know my future is here. I’m incredibly proud of the perspectives I will bring to the Iowa legislature as a woman, like 50% of Iowans, but only 29% of legislators. In addition, I’m a current teacher, having worked in education since 2006. I’m Jewish, Queer, and I’m 20 years younger than our average lawmaker. Finally, I’m an active duty military spouse, which has provided me a wealth of learning and experiences I could have never predicted.

What is your motto in life?
This one is tough! "It takes a lot of work to hate someone. You got that kind of time?" from North Country.

Where can we find out more about you?
LevinforIowa is my website as well as my handle on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and Twitter.
Facebook: LevinforIowa
Instagram: @levinforiowa
Bluesky: levinforiowa.bsky.social
Twitter: @LevinforIowa

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Elinor Levin, Iowa House of Representatives District 89