(Nodaway) An Adams County resident nominated by convention is running on the Democratic ticket for Iowa House District #17.
Pat Shipley, the Mayor of Nodaway, grew up in Villisca, and has devoted her entire adult life to public education. Shipley served as a teacher and coach in Southwest Iowa for 16 years and worked for the Iowa State Education Association for 26 years as a public education employee advocate.
The newly formed 17th district now features two newcomers. Devon Woods of New Market ran unopposed in the June Primary. Shipley decided to throw her hat into the ring after the primary.
Shipley served as a public employee advocate representing K-12 teachers, AEA staff, community college educators, and public-school support staff. Shipley’s motivation to run is because of the lack of funding for Iowa’s public education schools.
During her tenure with the Iowa State Education Association, Pat Shipley covered 16 counties and over 47 school districts from Council Bluffs to Diagonal.
Shipley believes public money must be used for public education.
Shipley says that access to health care is a crisis facing rural Iowa beyond the state’s declining education system. She notes this is especially the case for mental and reproductive health, which is challenging for all ages.
The newly drawn District #17 includes a portion of Union County and part of Page County, including Clarinda and all of Taylor, Ringgold, and Adams Counties.
