CANDIDATE PROFILE: Brian Bruening

As election day approaches, voters are seeking information to guide their decisions about the candidates running for public office. In this series of candidate profiles, we aim to provide insights into the individuals running for local, state, and federal positions. Brian Bruening is running for Iowa State Senate District 32. Bruening, a small business owner, shared with DecorahNews.com how moving back to northeast Iowa influenced his run for office. DN: What position or office are you running for? BB: State Senate District 32 DN: What is your educational background?BB: New Hampton Community High School, BA in English Boston University, MFA in Poetry Emerson College What professional or personal experiences do you have that qualify you for this position or office? BB: I have been a small business owner for 18 years in Elkader. I have served on the Elkader Chamber of Commerce and have been the Chair of the Clayton County Democrats since 2016. What community organizations have you been involved with? BB: Chamber of Commerce, Art in the Park Weekend What motivated you to run for office?BB: I moved back to Northeast Iowa 18 years ago because I knew how great it was to grow up here. But that quality has deteriorated. No longer are our schools the best in the nation, our rivers and streams are the most contaminated in the country, and we have the highest incidence rate of cancer. Over 12 years of complete Republican control of government has led us down a path that has hurt rural communities the most. I will be a strong voice for all the people of District 32. What hobbies or interests do you have outside of politics? BB: I am an avid reader and gardener with an extensive collection of houseplants. What's your favorite local spot in Decorah, and why? BB: It's so obvious, but Dunnings Spring! I remember going there as a child, and its natural beauty still captivates me as an adult. How do you stay informed about local and national issues? BB: I read a lot of news as well as listen to a lot of history and politics podcasts while working in the kitchen. What three key issues do you hope to address if you are elected?BB: I've identified four major needs for our district: 1) recommitting to public education and funding, 2) ensuring safe housing and food security for children, 3) improving access to rural hospitals and nursing homes, and 4) repairing contaminated water sources. We need to repeal recent damaging policies like the AEA gutting and private school vouchers that have drained resources from small rural schools. This has already harmed school budgets and the quality of education, limiting essential services like testing for students with hearing issues. There's a pressing need for safe, affordable housing across the state. Business owners struggle to hire due to housing shortages, while many families live in unsafe conditions. Investing in multifamily housing will help address hiring challenges and homeless and under-housed people. We also need to boost support for food banks and other food programs such as SNAP and free school lunches, as over 150 families in Clayton County alone rely on our food shelf weekly. The failed Medicaid privatization must end, as it leads to higher costs and lower care, only benefiting out-of-state contractors. Maternal and OBGYN care deserts have sprung up around the state, and it will take a concerted effort to improve access for women and mothers. We must address the overwhelming influence of Big Ag on our environmental regulations. Iowa's lax approach to nitrate and manure runoff has resulted in poor water quality and polluted streams and rivers. We need to empower local governments and adequately fund regulatory agencies to enforce existing laws and hold violators accountable. This isn't an attack on farmers; agriculture is vital to our state, but it is just as important to make sure all of Iowa citizens have a safe and clean place to live. DN: How would you describe your platform? What issues are you most concerned with? BB: My platform is a broad attempt to address the core issues that have led to our declining rural population and shrinking tax base. How do you plan to engage with the community during your campaign and beyond? BB: I have traveled throughout the district speaking with voters. I will continue to meet with voters through town halls open to the public and social media. How can voters support your campaign? BB: Voters can learn more about the campaign and find out ways to help at brueningforiowa.com. Bruening can also be found on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube. Editor's Note: This candidate profile is intended to inform voters and aid in their research ahead of the election on November 5. It does not serve as a political endorsement of any candidate or party. If you are a candidate and would like to submit your own profile for publication, please contact breanna@decorahnews.com.