Another election year kicks off in less than two weeks with the first-in-the-nation caucus. And as Iowa’s Moms for Liberty chapters—united in their focus on children and parental rights in education—consider their options, it appears no single Republican candidate stands out.
As an organization, Moms for Liberty does not formally endorse one candidate.
Two of its chapter chairs told The Epoch Times they welcomed diversity of perspective and position—including registered Republicans and Democrats, and independent voters, and even active fathers—on their common ground.
That common ground was outlined in a recent press release, prioritizing five categories: (1) Enhance accountability in all school districts, especially in matters of investigating “any unlawful act or accusation of child abuse.” (2) Prohibit funding for and remove Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) components in grades K-12. (3) Eliminate all demographic-based requirements when classifying bullying “in order that all children are protected from any bullying incidents.” (4) Expand “whistleblower protection” to allow union teachers to file anonymous complaints, and (5) Eliminate common core education.
They feel fortunate, they say, that the top four polling GOP candidates have promised to fight their fight for parental rights in education on one level or another, including going so far as to eliminate the Department of Education altogether.
While there is no official consensus, the moms’ top three candidates appear to be former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, according to Polk County Chapter Chairwoman Jenn Turner and Linn County Chairwoman Geralyn Jones.
“We’ve been fortunate enough to have most of the candidates come to us, and [they] have sought our opinion on where we stand on a lot of these key issues or these hot-button issues that are taking place in education today,” Ms. Jones, a mother of three, told The Epoch Times. “I think the fact that we have candidates that are wanting to know and understand what our parental role is, and how we envision that in education is important, especially as a candidate.”
President Trump and Mr. DeSantis are both well-liked for their track record in their executive posts, said Ms. Turner. She specifically pointed out the governor’s recent success with parental rights in education and the overall improved state of the country under President Trump.
They admire the empathy brought by the candidates’ wives, Casey DeSantis and Apoorva Ramaswamy, who both have young children.
“They can speak to what’s happening,” Ms. Turner, mother of one, told The Epoch Times. “They’re paying very much attention to the actual things that are happening inside our schools and having the conversation.
“It’s a really intimate setting here in Iowa, ” she said. “I wish everyone else had the opportunity ... because it’s pretty incredible.”
There are six chapters across the Hawkeye State, and candidates are invited to reach out to them and offer invitations to events, or organize and host events together.
President Trump has connected with Ms. Jones’s chapter, she said. She has also been able to see Mr. DeSantis in Iowa, but specific attempts to connect him with her chapter have not been successful.
Meanwhile, both chairwomen said the one mom candidate in the race, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, has not reached out to any Moms for Liberty chapters in Iowa. And while they both heard her speak at the national summit in Philadelphia, they said she remains more of a stranger than her competitors.
It’s kind of difficult to be able to see her stance on certain issues when she’s not willing to take the initiative, sit down and want to see where we stand on these issues, Ms. Jones said.
Mr. DeSantis and Ms. Haley are scheduled to share the debate stage on Jan. 10 for a caucus debate hosted by CNN.
Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucus is set for Jan. 15.
