MIDWEST ROOTS & VALUES

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Molly is a mom, educator, and colon cancer survivor who served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 2023 through 2024. Molly never thought she’d get into politics, but she was inspired to run because she knew our students and teachers needed a strong, authentic voice in the state legislature. Now, Molly is running for Iowa House District 41 to tackle the critical challenges facing our community and state.

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Her campaign is focused on four core priorities:

• Public Education: Restoring support, funding, and forward-thinking policies to return Iowa’s public schools to top-of-the-nation status.

• Clean Water: Implementing sustainable water policies that protect our health and work for everyone across Iowa.

• Cancer Advocacy: Tackling Iowa’s cancer crisis head-on through proactive prevention, research, and support.

• Affordability: Relieving the financial pressure on Ankeny’s working families at a time when everyone is feeling the squeeze.

 

Molly earned her Bachelor’s in Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her Master’s degree in Teacher Effectiveness and Professional Development from Drake University in 2016. She has dedicated over two decades to teaching in the Ankeny Community School District and currently teaches at Rock Creek Elementary. 

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During her term in the statehouse, Molly served on the Economic Growth and Technology, Education, Environmental Protection, and Labor and Workforce committees, as well as the Education Appropriations subcommittee and College Student Aid Commission. As the only active classroom teacher serving in the legislature at the time, she brought invaluable, real-time classroom insight directly to policy debates—continuing to teach her students full-time even while the legislature was in session.

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Molly and her family have lived in Ankeny for over 20 years. She and her husband, Dan, share two daughters and two step-sons. When she’s not in the classroom or out listening to neighbors in the district, you can find Molly chasing after her rescue cats, gardening, or motorcycle riding with Dan.