Issues

The Dubuque County Democrats believe strong communities are built when everyone has the opportunity to thrive — with good schools, safe neighborhoods, fair wages, affordable healthcare, clean water, and a government that works for everyday people.

Our priorities are rooted in the belief that politics should improve people’s daily lives. Here are some of the issues we’re working on together here in Dubuque County and across Iowa.

This page serves as a summary of some of our party’s priorities and stances. For a more comprehensive view of our positions, please see the official party platform.

Good Jobs & Fair Wages

Dubuque was built by working people — factory workers, teachers, nurses, tradespeople, small business owners, and union families who believed hard work should lead to stability and opportunity.

We believe workers deserve:

fair wages
safe working conditions
paid family and sick leave
the freedom to organize and bargain collectively

We support investments in infrastructure, broadband, clean energy, and local economic development that create good-paying jobs here in Iowa — not just profits for corporations.

We support:

raising the minimum wage to a livable wage indexed to inflation;
paid family and sick leave;
protecting collective bargaining rights;
strengthening workplace safety protections;
preventing wage theft and worker exploitation;
protecting public employee pensions like IPERS;
investing in infrastructure projects that create local jobs;
and supporting ethical business practices that put workers and communities first.

We also believe workers with disabilities deserve equal pay for equal work, and that all workers should have access to safe workplaces and fair treatment.

Strong Public Schools

Public schools are one of the foundations of strong communities. Every child in Dubuque County deserves access to safe classrooms, qualified teachers, nutritious meals, and opportunities to succeed – whether they live in Dubuque, Peosta, Dyersville, or a rural township.

We believe public education should prepare students not only for jobs, but for citizenship, creativity, and lifelong learning.

We support:

timely and adequate funding for public schools and Area Education Agencies (AEAs);
barring the use of public funds for vouchers;
affordable community college and higher education;
career and technical education opportunities;
universal preschool access;
fair pay and strong support for teachers and school staff;
diverse and inclusive curriculum developed by educators;
and student support services that address mental health, nutrition, and accessibility.

We believe strong public schools strengthen entire communities and create opportunities for future generations.

Affordable Healthcare

Healthcare is not a luxury. Every family deserves access to affordable, high-quality healthcare — including mental healthcare, reproductive healthcare, preventive care, and support for aging family members.

Too many Iowans delay care because of cost, provider shortages, or lack of access. We believe healthcare decisions belong to patients and families, not politicians or insurance companies.

We support:

a single-payer healthcare system that is affordable and accessible to all Iowans;
lowering prescription drug costs;
fully funding brain healthcare and services;
protecting reproductive freedom and family planning access;
supporting gender-affirming healthcare;
investing in public health and preventative care;
recruiting and retaining healthcare workers;
and improving healthcare access for veterans, seniors, and rural communities.

We believe addiction should be treated as a healthcare issue, and that mental health deserves the same seriousness and support as physical health.

Rights, Freedoms & Democracy

Democracy works best when every person can participate, every vote counts, and every community member is treated with dignity and fairness.

We believe government should protect individual freedoms, strengthen democratic institutions, and ensure equal rights under the law — regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or background.

We support:

protecting voting rights and election integrity;
overturning Citizens United and enacting comprehensive campaign finance reform;
fair district maps and opposition to gerrymandering;
equal protection under the law;
LGBTQIA+ rights and protections;
reproductive freedom;
immigration reform that keeps families together;
transparency and accountability in government;
Universal background checks, mandatory registration of all gun purchases, and maintaining “weapon-free” zones;
and reforms that strengthen trust between communities and law enforcement.

We also support efforts to reduce mass incarceration, expand rehabilitation and reentry programs, and treat people with dignity throughout the justice system.

Water, Soil & Energy

Clean water, healthy soil, and a stable climate matter to every family in Iowa — whether you farm the land, fish the rivers, hike local trails, or simply want safe drinking water for your kids.

We believe environmental stewardship and economic growth can go hand in hand. Protecting our environment also means creating new jobs, strengthening communities, and preserving Iowa’s natural beauty for future generations.

We support:

immediate and aggressive action to slow and reverse climate change;
adopting a state constitutional amendment that protects our right to a clean, safe, and healthy environment;
regulation of data center development and operation to protect water and energy consumption;
funding water quality testing;
investments in renewable energy and clean energy jobs;
and stronger accountability for large corporate polluters.

We believe Iowa can lead the way in clean energy innovation while protecting our farms, waterways, and communities.

Safe & Strong Communities

Strong communities are built through trust, opportunity, safety, and public investment. We believe every person deserves safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, reliable infrastructure, and access to community resources that help people thrive.

Real public safety means supporting both prevention and accountability — while building communities where people feel connected and supported.

We support:

funding expansion of mass transit resources;
affordable housing for low-income and elderly residents;
the reformation of law enforcement agencies at all levels;
rehabilitation and reentry programs;
veterans’ services and homelessness prevention;
and local services that support families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

We believe communities are strongest when people have stability, opportunity, and a sense of belonging.

Supporting Families & Veterans

Strong communities support people at every stage of life — from early childhood to retirement. We believe families, seniors, veterans, and caregivers deserve dignity, stability, and access to the services they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

We support:

protecting Social Security and retirement security;
affordable housing and food assistance programs;
expanded services for seniors and people with disabilities;
improved funding for the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs and Iowa Veterans Trust Fund;
support for military families and veterans transitioning to civilian life;
ending veteran homelessness;
and accessible healthcare and community support systems for all families.

We believe caring for one another is part of building a stronger Dubuque County.

Building A Stronger Dubuque County — Together

Politics isn’t just about elections. It’s about creating communities where people feel safe, respected, and hopeful about the future.

The Dubuque County Democrats are committed to building that future together.