Candidate name: Deidre DeJear
State: Iowa
Bio: Deidre DeJear received an early education in public service from her grandmother, a county elections commissioner in Mississippi. DeJear, now in her early 30s, is continuing the family legacy of service. In 2005, as a Drake University student, she co-founded Back 2 School Iowa, a nonprofit that collaborated with communities and corporations to provide educational resources and inspiration to young people. Today DeJear owns a small business, Caleo Enterprises, which gives entrepreneurs affordable marketing tools and business strategies. She also developed the Financial Capability Network, a collaborative that targets low-to-moderate income individuals and families.
An organizer for President Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign, DeJear led a program to educate and mobilize voters that doubled African-American turnout. She has
said that as secretary of state, she will ensure that the voting process is secure, accessible and fair for all. DeJear’s endorsements include Iowa Women for Progressive Change, People for the American Way, EMILY’s List and NARAL Pro-Choice America.
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