A letter from Mike Gronstal [View all]

Dear Friends,

I came to the Iowa Legislature in 1982—more than half my lifetime ago. I’d never have believed back then that I’d have the honor of serving my hometown of Council Bluffs and the people of Carter Lake for 34 years.

Through it all, your input helped me better understand what’s at stake in the fight to move Iowa forward, and to make our community the best possible place to live and work. Together, we’ve been a part of many great successes.

Out of college, I was a social worker. I saw for myself that any one of us could someday need of a helping hand. That and my father’s example of public service motivated me to fight for fairness and equality.

I’m proud of the progress we’ve made on civil rights; to attract good businesses and jobs; to offer affordable worker training at Iowa Western Community College; to thank our veterans and service members for their sacrifices; and to protect victims of domestic abuse, trafficking and other crimes.

There is still much to be done to level the playing field—sick and disabled Iowans need affordable health care; students deserve a first-class education; working families should be able to get ahead; and the human rights of all Iowans must be respected.

The 2016 election didn’t end the way I’d hoped, but our accomplishments will live on. In the words of 19th century minister Theodore Parker, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

Sincerely, Mike Gronstal

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