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Karen Varley of Stuart has announced her campaign for Iowa House District 23, currently served by Republican Ray “Bubba” Sorensen of Greenfield.
“Rural Iowans are tired of getting shortchanged by current state leadership,” Varley declared. “We need a voice in the legislature to advocate for smart investments in first-rate public education, workforce development, access to health care including mental health services for all ages, housing solutions, and affordable childcare.”
Varley is also concerned about older Iowans.
“We have seen reports in the news about nursing home staff shortages, and in Fontanelle a long-term care facility recently closed. It’s past time to take meaningful steps toward ensuring quality care for our community members at all stages of life.”
Varley says that recent legislation is sending rural Iowa in the wrong direction.
“Education vouchers give public dollars to private schools with no accountability and no obligation to serve all students as public schools do. This was done in the name of “choice,” but for most families in rural Iowa there really is no choice,” Varley said. “We depend on our public schools to provide the opportunities that each student deserves. Our schools are also an economic engine for our communities. As rural Iowa empties out, a strong local school system is critical for economic vitality.”
In addressing these issues, Varley is committed to civil communication in an era of heightened polarization.
“Listening to each other, even when we disagree, makes rural communities stronger,” she said. “I pledge to seek out and respect a variety of opinions during the campaign and as a legislator. The best ideas result from team efforts.”
Varley also notes that the legislature has the power to protect important individual freedoms and vows to fight for her constituents’ right to make personal family planning decisions; empower local school boards to set policies for their students; and resist the use of eminent domain for private gain by carbon-capture pipeline projects.
Varley is an Iowa native who grew up on her family’s dairy farm in Allamakee County. She holds a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Iowa State University, a master’s in plant breeding from Cornell University and a law degree from Drake University. Her employment experience includes work for Pioneer Hi-Bred, ISU Extension, and Midwest Partnership Economic Development. She is now a partner at Varley Law Office in Stuart, helping clients with legal matters pertaining to real estate, business organization and operations, probate, estate plans, and nonprofit structure and compliance.
“As an attorney, I see daily how legislation impacts our clients’ lives,” said Varley. “The consequences are often more complex than the soundbites suggest. For example, the ‘fair, flat’ income tax is not fair; it increases the tax burden for low-income Iowans while generously benefiting those with high incomes. Meanwhile the reductions in state revenue will limit the state’s ability to deliver services important to everyday Iowans. Handing over governmental roles to out-of-state, for-profit companies is a further slap in the face.”
Iowa House District 23 includes all of Adair and Madison Counties, and portions of northeast Union County, western Clarke County, and southwest Dallas County.
Karen and her husband, Warren Varley, have been married for 40 years and are the parents of four grown children.
“I am excited to listen to the residents of House District 23 and work with them to find creative, long-term solutions to Iowa’s challenges,” Varley said.