For most of her life, Danielle Duggan was the person door-knocking for other politicians. Whether it was her sister Stephanie Erickson’s mayoral campaign, friends running for office or candidates she just really believed in, Duggan loved working behind the scenes in campaigns. Now, she is front and center, running for representative of Iowa’s 34th district.
“I was always, either by force as a child or by choice as an adult, involved, but I’ve never actually been the political candidate,” Duggan said. “I am the person who lines up the interviews or takes pictures.”
Duggan is running on the Republican ticket because that is where she feels she can be most beneficial. She said it would be much more effective for her to join the Iowa GOP caucus, where she can stop “bad bills” at the source. She said she plans to speak out against bills she and her constituents disagree with at each stage of the legislative process.
“Good people make good bills regardless of party,” Duggan said.
Duggan said that her children and the next generation inspired her to run. Duggan saw it as the perfect opportunity to step up and represent the district. She also saw an opportunity to set the course for young people and show them they can do anything they put their minds to.
“It would be inspiring and wonderful to see some of them step up and be passionate about their ideals,” Duggan said.
Duggan is running on the platform of faith, family and funding. She said she wants to see the state government out of people’s faith and families and more local control of funding.
“Aside from wanting to lead for my children and plow the path for them, I’ve become very disheartened at what our state government has been doing the last couple of years about our faith, families and funding,” Duggan said.
After working in low-income housing for years, Duggan has very ambitious goals for housing in Iowa, which she said is a significant issue. She wants 100,000 new or improved low-income housing units available within four years.
Throughout Iowa, there is a need for a shelter for single fathers who have custody of their children, Duggan said. She also believes Iowa needs “grandfamily” housing for older individuals with custody of their grandchildren.
According to the United States Census Bureau, an estimated 6.7 million grandparents lived with a grandchild under 18 in 2021, and 2.1 million were responsible for most of their grandchild’s primary care. The problem is that these families can not live with their grandchildren in low-income housing that is 55 years or older, Duggan said. Additionally, Duggan said that Iowa needs more free or affordable housing for veterans.
“Safe, stable and affordable housing is a cornerstone to a good life,” Duggan said.
Besides improving housing for homeless veterans, Duggan also wants to help increase the number of veterans with a 100% disability rating, a task she has been doing with her father for the last two years.
“It’s so important to take care of not only our elderly and our children, but the people that fight for our freedom,” Duggan said. “I believe that they’ve been shortchanged for too long.”
Duggan believes that the youth vote is vital and she encourages those who will be 18 before Nov. 5 to register to vote. She also wants to focus on felon disenfranchisement, empowering them to regain their voting rights.
Duggan said her whole campaign is built on education, encouragement and empowerment of the younger generation.
“[Being involved in campaigns] and just having that experience is what drove me to [run for office], but it’s truly so I can educate, encourage and empower the next leader for this district,” Duggan said. “I want to make sure that as we move forward, we have someone who’s educated and experienced in power.”
For coverage of her opponent, Rob Johnson, click here.
