Democratic challenger for U.S. House district visits Charles City

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

A candidate for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District visited Charles City to introduce herself to local Democrats on Wednesday, April 24.

Sarah Corkery is running to unseat incumbent U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson in the upcoming congressional election.

A two-time cancer survivor, Corkery’s political involvement began with advocating for legislation that would allow people with metastatic breast cancer to waive the waiting period usually required before receiving Social Security and Medicare benefits, allowing them to receive benefits that may allow them to get treated before cancer becomes untreatable.

“After four years, patients get on benefits before it’s too late,” said Corkery.

Corkery said that while Hinson today is in support of such legislation, she had previously been opposed to it due to the issue that if people of one kind of cancer were allowed to waive the waiting period, people with other types of cancer would want the same exemption.

“What’s wrong with that?” said Corkery to the crowd.

While Corkery said she is expecting little in support from the Democratic Party at the national level, she feels that at least three of Iowa’s four districts, all currently held by Republicans, are vulnerable for flipping.

“I am ready to turn this around and start fighting and I think Iowans want somebody that will punch back a bit,” said Corkery. “You cannot vote against an infrastructure bill and then show up at a ribbon cutting and take credit for it.”

Corkery called out congressional Republicans for voting against border control legislation for the stated purpose of keeping immigration a wedge issue going into the election, saying that she supports a multi-faceted approach to border control and immigration processing so that those who aren’t supposed to be in the country are removed quickly and those who are supposed to be admitted don’t have to deal with excessive waits and a labyrinth of bureaucracy.

“Just building a wall or throwing razor wire into the water is not going to solve the problem,” said Corkery.

As the mother of a bi-racial child, a gay child, and a child with a disability, Corkery said she has also been dismayed at the state’s recent legislative priorities, such as recent laws about LGBT public visibility and rights, which she characterized as mean-spirited bullying against marginalized populations.

“This year they started targeting our disabled kids,” said Corkery, referring to recent legislative action that has diminished Area Education Agencies’ funding and responsibilities.

As a first-time candidate, Corkery said she is realistic about her chances of success, but optimistic about the support she has already received from residents in the district.

“It’s been incredibly encouraging to have people come out in April for a fall election,” she said.