A small group gathered at the Milwaukee Depot in Jefferson Friday afternoon for a roundtable with the Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deidre DeJear.

The event began with constituents voicing their opinions about how they saw the current lifestyle in the community, why young people feel they need to move away from Greene County and youth opportunities within the community. They also pointed out areas that they felt the state could help solve issues. 

DeJear then talked about several topics including childcare desserts across Iowa, mental health and healthcare, supporting small businesses and public education.

“From my vantage point we’re putting too much burden on the Iowan right now. Our governor is in a position to do better, to create pathways for everybody to find success. But those pathways are getting smaller and smaller, and the cornerstone of that pathway is education, K-12, making sure that our babies are prepared when they get to kindergarten.”

DeJear is running against incumbent Republican Kim Reynolds for governor.