Washington

Brittany Erickson of Washington has announced her candidacy for Iowa House District 92, where she will challenge incumbent Heather Hora. Erickson made the announcement during the Washington County Democratic Meet and Greet on Saturday, March 7.

Hora is seeking a second term, having served in the Iowa House since 2023. House District 92 includes Washington County and portions of Johnson County.

Erickson currently runs Erickson Cab Company in Washington, serving Washington County and the surrounding areas.

Previously, she worked as a pharmacy technician at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and as a census enumerator. She is a mother and resides in Washington.

When asked why she is running, Erickson said she believes the state is at a turning point.

“I have always wanted to be a candidate since I was a child. My grandma was a strong Democrat and she would be proud of me. I am running because I think we are at a turning point in history that requires progressive legislature to evolve as a society while protecting people during these future changes.”

If elected, Erickson said she would focus on restoring civil rights for all Iowans.

“Bringing back civil rights for all Iowans and ensuring they can never have their rights stripped again.”’

She also pointed to health concerns as a major issue facing voters in the district.

“The biggest challenge facing voters in Washington and Johnson County are cancer rates and chronic illnesses,” she said. “We need answers and solutions to keep our residents alive, not just increased screenings. We need to be proactive about this matter.”

Property taxes were another topic raised during the interview. Erickson said the state should take action while protecting school funding.

“My own property taxes have more than doubled since I bought my home,” she said. “I look forward to working with my peers to find the best possible solution to this problem, but the answer must not hurt school funding. A partial answer is shifting the responsibility to the state and capping what local governments can increase, which can also include local bargaining for property tax caps.”

Education was also a key focus. Erickson said she has heard a wide range of concerns from Iowans but believes more support is needed for schools and teachers.

“This has become tricky for me because I have heard so many opinions from so many Iowans bringing up this topic. All of the teachers need to be paid more and all public schools need more money for supplies. I want to see Iowa as number one in the nation for education, like it used to be.”

When asked how she differs from her opponent beyond party affiliation, Erickson emphasized civil rights.

“I know that every person on Iowa soil should have equal civil rights.”

She also said current school funding increases are not sufficient and that she would seek more input from local districts.

“I think I need to listen to the local schools to come up with an exact number. An increase of $160 per student is not enough—that’s not even a dollar a day per student.”

On legislative decisions, Erickson said she would have approached abortion policy differently.

“I believe pregnant people should always have a choice,” she said. “Abortions will always happen regardless of laws, and it is the government’s duty to ensure people have access to safe, private healthcare. Laws like these keep gynecologists from wanting to work here, and there must always be a separation of church and state.”

Agriculture and rural communities were also part of her platform.

“We need to bolster farmers’ wallets,” she said. “The right to repair is a huge issue for me. Being charged tens of thousands of dollars for a repair that could have been easily done on the farm is ridiculous, and when farmers are hurting, all of Iowa feels the consequences.”

Erickson also addressed workforce challenges in small towns, saying the state should support both workers and small businesses.

“We need to raise our minimum wage and implement workers’ rights,” she said. “We should offer more help to people opening small businesses so they can hire people at a decent wage. Bringing back OB/GYNs and keeping rural healthcare alive will help keep young families here.”

When asked about her message to voters, Erickson kept it simple.

“I will fight for every Iowan’s right in their pursuit of happiness.”