BURLINGTON - Jennifer Kirkman, local family law attorney, announced today that she has officially submitted all nomination signatures to secure her place on the ballot as a candidate for the Iowa House of Representatives in District 99 for the 2026, primary and general election.
Kirkman said that her campaign is focused on putting PEOPLE first by restoring Iowa’s public schools, investing in the health and well-being of Iowans by expanding access to healthcare and addressing environmental issues impacting their quality of life, and bolstering the economy in Southeast Iowa.
“Put simply, Iowa has an attraction and retention problem. We need to get back to our roots and promote legislation that makes it easier to recruit and retain good, hardworking people in Iowa." Kirkman said.
“Our public schools are struggling,” Kirkman said. “Over the last decade, we’ve seen policy decisions that have weakened the very foundation of public education in Iowa.”
Kirkman pointed to several key changes in state policy:
• In 2017, collective bargaining rights for teachers were significantly limited, damaging educators’ ability to advocate for fair wages and working conditions.
• Since 2023, the state’s school voucher program (Education Savings Accounts) has diverted public dollars away from public schools to private institutions without the same level of public financial oversight or accountability.
• In 2024, Area Education Agency (AEA) services were significantly reduced, cutting critical supports that help students with disabilities and specialized learning needs succeed.
“These decisions have consequences,” Kirkman said. “When we undermine teachers, reduce essential services, and shift taxpayer dollars away from public schools, our students and communities pay the price. I’m running to restore strong public education — to reinvest in our schools, respect our educators, and ensure public funds remain accountable to the public. Iowa used to be number one in education nationally; ‘Foundation in Education’ is on Iowa’s quarter. It’s time we get back there.”
In addition to education, Kirkman emphasized the urgent need to address healthcare across District 99.
“Families in Southeast Iowa are struggling to find doctors, mental health providers, and specialists close to home,” she said. “Iowa is currently 44th in the nation as far as patient to physician ratio. We are 50th in the nation as far as access to OBGYNS. And, Iowa has the second highest and fastest rising cancer rate across all age groups in the nation. We must strengthen our healthcare workforce, support rural hospitals and clinics, and make sure no one has to drive hours just to receive basic care. We need to stop proposing legislation that drives health care providers out of the state and makes it difficult to recruit new ones. We need to partner with our agricultural friends and families to create solutions to our water quality issues.”
Kirkman also highlighted the importance of strengthening the rural economy.
“Our communities deserve policies that support small businesses, local agriculture, and workforce development,” she said. “We need economic strategies that create good-paying jobs and keep our young people here, not policies that leave rural Iowa behind. We need to look at our minimum wage which hasn’t increased in 18 years.”
Kirkman pledged to be an accessible and accountable representative who will bring the concerns of District 99 residents to the Statehouse.
“I believe in our schools, our healthcare providers, our farmers, and our small businesses,” she said. “With thoughtful leadership, we can restore what’s been weakened and build a stronger future for Southeast Iowa by focusing on putting PEOPLE first.
Kirkman will continue meeting with voters throughout District 99 in the coming months at community events, neighborhood gatherings and door-to-door conversations.
The Democratic Primary Election is June 2, 2026. The General Election is November 3, 2026.
You can learn more about her on Facebook or Instagram at Kirkman for Iowa or on her website: www.kirkmanforiowa.com
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