Randi McCallian McCallian

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Randi McCallian completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McCallian's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-212504-2024-03-12\" id=\"heading-bio-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-212504-2024-03-12\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-212504-2024-03-12\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am a fierce advocate for women, children, and families. I grew up in a large, blended, military family; the oldest of many siblings. I was a girl scout, my first job was in a bagel store, and when I headed to Iowa to attend Drake University, I started working right away in the before &amp; after-school program at the local public school.\r\n<p>My professional experience includes: teaching kids with Autism at school &amp; home; providing home visits to low-income families with Parents as Teachers, Early Head Start, and Montessori school programs; providing prenatal, birth, and postpartum support to families as a labor and postpartum doula and an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Most recently, I was Program Director for a multi-state Maternal &amp; Child Health program that served pregnant and newborn families.\r\n</p><p>I never planned to run for office, but after a lifetime in the field, and accomplishing a Master's Degree in Public Health, I saw that policy was the most effective way to tackle the barriers families face when trying to thrive. I began lobbying my representatives, supporting local campaigns, and then decided to run for office myself - so I could draw attention to the issues important to families and children.\r\n</p>\nI am a wife to a data-scientist, mother of two compassionate girls, and we are working on becoming a farm. We foster cats for the local shelter, support our local public school, and I am a member of our county emergency services board.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-212504-2024-03-12\" id=\"heading-key-message-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-212504-2024-03-12\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-212504-2024-03-12\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Our district deserves better. \r\n<p>In a ranking of congressional districts, we are nearly always last. For jobs opportunities and income, infrastructure and housing, education, healthcare, childcare, teen pregnancy ... we've been left behind and I believe you, your children, your parents, deserve better.\r\n</p>\nOur current congressman has been in this seat for 11 years now. He lies quite often about how he voted on legislation, and he votes against policy that would help his district more than others... such as when he voted NO to capping Insulin costs at $35 a month (our area of the state has the highest rates of diabetes and the lowest incomes... who is Smith working for?)</li><li>Nearly every Republican, Independent, and Democrat I talk to agrees that we want corporate greed, financial corruption, and bought-out politicians out of our system of government.\r\nLET'S GET IT DONE!\r\n\r\nDon't let Big Money control the narrative here, nearly all voters across all political spectrums agree that money is corrupting our political system. \r\n\r\nI advocate for campaign finance reform, fair taxes that keep money in the pockets of working Americans, and ending the Congressman-to-millionaire pipeline.</li><li>There. Are. Solutions.\r\n\r\nOur healthcare crisis in the 8th congressional district shouldn't even exist. We need leaders who know how to get work done, and have a desire to actually serve-the-people and make a whole region (district) better.\r\nI have that experience and desire. I enjoy working with families and children, but I've stepped aside from that work because I care so strongly about actually getting things done, and policy passed, that will remove the barriers we face and allow us to thrive.\r\nPolicy that creates more down-stream healthcare jobs is one of the ways that we provide more healthcare to more people, lower the cost, and create more jobs.\r\nLet's get it done!</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-212504-2024-03-12\" id=\"heading1-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-212504-2024-03-12\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-212504-2024-03-12\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCommunity and Family Health is where my passion and expertise are strongest. In particular, I've focused much of my advocacy on improving our maternity care system, increasing and improving postpartum care, and protecting newborn and infant well-being.<br/><br/>\r\nGrowing up, I was fascinated by viruses. I read The Hot Zone, a book about Ebola and related viruses, so many times that the spine fell apart. In college I became interested in human development, learning and behavior, and deviations from 'the norm'. And then my focus turned to preconception, pregnancy, birth, and the early years... once I found that the field of Public Health encompassed all these seemingly unrelated topics, I packed my bags and ran to graduate school.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-212504-2024-03-12\" id=\"heading2-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-212504-2024-03-12\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tIs there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-212504-2024-03-12\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe Business of Being Born was one key documentary that helped me share with others what I was learning about our maternity care system, and where I want to go with more respectful and safe maternity care.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-212504-2024-03-12\" id=\"heading3-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-212504-2024-03-12\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-212504-2024-03-12\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tBeing able to listen, having empathy for people's experiences, and is humble and honest when it comes to what they don't know.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-212504-2024-03-12\" id=\"heading4-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-212504-2024-03-12\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-212504-2024-03-12\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am someone who organizes and makes processes more effective and efficient - those are some of the exact things our overly inefficient and unorganized governing systems need right now.<br/>\r\nI'm not one to back down from a fight and I'm good at communicating with others, no matter their stance, as long as they can manage to be mostly respectful - these are also qualities desperately needed in our leadership.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-212504-2024-03-12\" id=\"heading5-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-212504-2024-03-12\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-212504-2024-03-12\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tTo advocate for the district and people living within it. To direct federal funding into important projects and opportunities for the people of the 8th (and to encourage local leaders to request federal funding that would benefit the people of our district), to highlight the good, and to bring people together to alleviate and fix the troublesome issues.<br/>\r\nThe congressperson for the 8th should be tackling child and household hunger, encouraging local authorities to request available funding for infrastructure projects, and working hard on policy that fixes our healthcare desert.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-212504-2024-03-12\" id=\"heading6-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-212504-2024-03-12\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-212504-2024-03-12\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI worked in a bagel store during my last two years of high school. I also worked occasional shifts at a local Bingo Hall during the same period and babysat for a number of families.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-212504-2024-03-12\" id=\"heading7-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-212504-2024-03-12\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-212504-2024-03-12\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tImpossible to choose just one. Reading is one of the things that feeds my curiosity and makes life so fulfilling!<br/>\n<p>A few of my favorites: The Hot Zone by Richard Preston (mentioned above as the start to my fascination with viruses); The Passion of Mary Magdalene by Elizabeth Cunningham; Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness; The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning; <br/>\n</p>\nBorn in the USA: How a Broken Maternity System Must Be Fixed to Put Women and Children First by Marsden Wagner; Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care by Jennifer Block (started my maternity care passion); Rage Becomes Her by Soraya Chemaly.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-212504-2024-03-12\" id=\"heading8-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-212504-2024-03-12\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was the last song that got stuck in your head?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-212504-2024-03-12\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t\"The Man\" by T. Swift\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-212504-2024-03-12\" id=\"heading9-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-212504-2024-03-12\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is something that has been a struggle in your life?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-212504-2024-03-12\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMotherhood was a very hard transition for me. I suffered from postpartum depression and anxiety, sometimes very severe.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-212504-2024-03-12\" id=\"heading10-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-212504-2024-03-12\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-212504-2024-03-12\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThe lengthening divide between Americans by political party affiliation. At this moment, our biggest threat is to ourselves and our inability to work together is going to result in a bigger threat coming from without.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-212504-2024-03-12\" id=\"heading11-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-212504-2024-03-12\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-212504-2024-03-12\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tCampaign Finance Reform FIRST; without that, Big Money will just buy out the candidates that they choose to run every cycle and beat down the grassroots candidate nearly every time.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-212504-2024-03-12\" id=\"heading12-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse12-212504-2024-03-12\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse12-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading12-212504-2024-03-12\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse12-212504-2024-03-12\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tJust as campaigns have to be transparent with their funding, so should the government. Financial transparency and government accountability are important because any entity or organization can become corrupted when there's power to be had and money to be made.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nRandi McCallian completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McCallian's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I am a fierce advocate for women, children, and families. I grew up in a large, blended, military family; the oldest of many siblings. I was a girl scout, my first job was in a bagel store, and when I headed to Iowa to attend Drake University, I started working right away in the before & after-school program at the local public school. My professional experience includes: teaching kids with Autism at school & home; providing home visits to low-income families with Parents as Teachers, Early Head Start, and Montessori school programs; providing prenatal, birth, and postpartum support to families as a labor and postpartum doula and an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Most recently, I was Program Director for a multi-state Maternal & Child Health program that served pregnant and newborn families. I never planned to run for office, but after a lifetime in the field, and accomplishing a Master's Degree in Public Health, I saw that policy was the most effective way to tackle the barriers families face when trying to thrive. I began lobbying my representatives, supporting local campaigns, and then decided to run for office myself - so I could draw attention to the issues important to families and children. I am a wife to a data-scientist, mother of two compassionate girls, and we are working on becoming a farm. We foster cats for the local shelter, support our local public school, and I am a member of our county emergency services board. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Our district deserves better. In a ranking of congressional districts, we are nearly always last. For jobs opportunities and income, infrastructure and housing, education, healthcare, childcare, teen pregnancy ... we've been left behind and I believe you, your children, your parents, deserve better. Our current congressman has been in this seat for 11 years now. He lies quite often about how he voted on legislation, and he votes against policy that would help his district more than others... such as when he voted NO to capping Insulin costs at $35 a month (our area of the state has the highest rates of diabetes and the lowest incomes... who is Smith working for?) Nearly every Republican, Independent, and Democrat I talk to agrees that we want corporate greed, financial corruption, and bought-out politicians out of our system of government.\r\nLET'S GET IT DONE!\r\n\r\nDon't let Big Money control the narrative here, nearly all voters across all political spectrums agree that money is corrupting our political system. \r\n\r\nI advocate for campaign finance reform, fair taxes that keep money in the pockets of working Americans, and ending the Congressman-to-millionaire pipeline. There. Are. Solutions.\r\n\r\nOur healthcare crisis in the 8th congressional district shouldn't even exist. We need leaders who know how to get work done, and have a desire to actually serve-the-people and make a whole region (district) better.\r\nI have that experience and desire. I enjoy working with families and children, but I've stepped aside from that work because I care so strongly about actually getting things done, and policy passed, that will remove the barriers we face and allow us to thrive.\r\nPolicy that creates more down-stream healthcare jobs is one of the ways that we provide more healthcare to more people, lower the cost, and create more jobs.\r\nLet's get it done! What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Community and Family Health is where my passion and expertise are strongest. In particular, I've focused much of my advocacy on improving our maternity care system, increasing and improving postpartum care, and protecting newborn and infant well-being. Growing up, I was fascinated by viruses. I read The Hot Zone, a book about Ebola and related viruses, so many times that the spine fell apart. In college I became interested in human development, learning and behavior, and deviations from 'the norm'. And then my focus turned to preconception, pregnancy, birth, and the early years... once I found that the field of Public Health encompassed all these seemingly unrelated topics, I packed my bags and ran to graduate school. Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy? The Business of Being Born was one key documentary that helped me share with others what I was learning about our maternity care system, and where I want to go with more respectful and safe maternity care. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Being able to listen, having empathy for people's experiences, and is humble and honest when it comes to what they don't know. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? I am someone who organizes and makes processes more effective and efficient - those are some of the exact things our overly inefficient and unorganized governing systems need right now. I'm not one to back down from a fight and I'm good at communicating with others, no matter their stance, as long as they can manage to be mostly respectful - these are also qualities desperately needed in our leadership. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? To advocate for the district and people living within it. To direct federal funding into important projects and opportunities for the people of the 8th (and to encourage local leaders to request federal funding that would benefit the people of our district), to highlight the good, and to bring people together to alleviate and fix the troublesome issues. The congressperson for the 8th should be tackling child and household hunger, encouraging local authorities to request available funding for infrastructure projects, and working hard on policy that fixes our healthcare desert. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? I worked in a bagel store during my last two years of high school. I also worked occasional shifts at a local Bingo Hall during the same period and babysat for a number of families. What is your favorite book? Why? Impossible to choose just one. Reading is one of the things that feeds my curiosity and makes life so fulfilling! A few of my favorites: The Hot Zone by Richard Preston (mentioned above as the start to my fascination with viruses); The Passion of Mary Magdalene by Elizabeth Cunningham; Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness; The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning; Born in the USA: How a Broken Maternity System Must Be Fixed to Put Women and Children First by Marsden Wagner; Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care by Jennifer Block (started my maternity care passion); Rage Becomes Her by Soraya Chemaly. What was the last song that got stuck in your head? \"The Man\" by T. Swift What is something that has been a struggle in your life? Motherhood was a very hard transition for me. I suffered from postpartum depression and anxiety, sometimes very severe. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? The lengthening divide between Americans by political party affiliation. At this moment, our biggest threat is to ourselves and our inability to work together is going to result in a bigger threat coming from without. What are your thoughts on term limits? Campaign Finance Reform FIRST; without that, Big Money will just buy out the candidates that they choose to run every cycle and beat down the grassroots candidate nearly every time. What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability? Just as campaigns have to be transparent with their funding, so should the government. Financial transparency and government accountability are important because any entity or organization can become corrupted when there's power to be had and money to be made.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Randi McCallian’s campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p><big><b>Housing</b></big><br/><br/>\nOur district doesn't have the housing infrastructure to support the creation of more jobs. We all feel frustrated when a home that needs *some* fixing gets torn down, and our small-town connections are severed; our community shrinks even more. Housing is crucial to our very lives, our health, to the local economy, and to raising strong families; I will invest in rural housing development.<br/><br/>\n<big><b>Internet</b></big><br/><br/>\n​All of us in the United States, regardless of how rural we are, should have access to high-speed internet – it should be a public utility. I intend to fight the corporate greed that keeps us from having access to internet resources like education, healthcare, and jobs. Investing in high-speed internet in our district is one of the important ways we can revitalize our rural economy.<br/><br/>\n<big><b>Healthcare</b></big><br/><br/>\nMy experience in healthcare access and improvement has taught me that government and health insurance should not make healthcare decisions for you. Our whole healthcare system needs a lot of work, and I have the background to make that happen. I want to protect Medicare, have a single-payer system, and affordable medications. I value your health far above the profits of Big Pharma.<br/><br/>\n<big><b>Roads &amp; Bridges</b></big><br/><br/>\nLike so many in the 8th, I live on a rural dirt road. We are dependent on city and county services to maintain our local roads so that school buses can safely get to and from school, mail can be delivered, we can make it to work, and access emergency services. For most of us in the 8th district, our personal vehicles are the only way to get groceries or get to work. We must invest in our rural infrastructure–it is our economic lifeline.<br/><br/>\n<big><b>Education</b></big><br/><br/>\nAny economic growth we achieve isn't sustainable without a resilient new generation. I value high-quality public education; apprenticeships and trade school, affordable childcare; paid caregiving; and educational programs for our kids and teens. Investing in a system of support for our children, young adults, and their families should be an economic priority for all.<br/><br/>\n<big><b>Small Farms &amp; Local Land Control</b></big><br/><br/>\nI value our small farms and local land more than the profits of large corporations and foreign governments. I believe in local control because no one cares more for our land than those who need it to survive. Our farms, our forests, and our rivers are the lifeblood of our district and I will stand against Big Ag and Big Oil to keep our land clean and prosperous for generations.<br/><br/>\n<big><b>Jobs &amp; Unions</b></big><br/><br/>\nDue to poor policy choices, our district has lost a lot of jobs in manufacturing, education, farming &amp; logging, trade work, and healthcare. This has hollowed-out our district and is one of the reasons young people leave our rural district for the cities. I stand with workers in our fight for a fair wage and strong benefits. We are stronger together and when we unionize, we will rebuild the middle class.<br/><br/>\n<big><b>Privacy</b></big><br/><br/>\nI value your privacy and your right to make choices for yourself and your families without government interference. Your relationships, your faith, your body -- these are things that should be decided by YOU. I will fight to protect your right to reproductive liberty, to define your family, and to make personal and private decisions without corporate or government surveillance or interference.\n<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_3-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-3\">[3]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Randi McCallian’s campaign website (2024)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-4\"><a href=\"#cite_note-4\">[4]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Randi McCallian completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McCallian's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-121145-2022-04-17\" id=\"heading-bio-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-121145-2022-04-17\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-121145-2022-04-17\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI grew up the oldest of many siblings in a large, blended, military family - where I came to learn the value of support. I graduated college from Drake University with a B.S. in Psychology (minor: Biology), and later graduate school with a Master's degree in Public Health, concentration in Maternal and Child Health, from the University of South Florida. My professional experience includes working with children and families in their homes as an Early Head Start Parent Educator, providing education and support for children with developmental challenges, working with a state-wide perinatal quality collaborative to improve infant care in hospitals, and directing a multi-state maternal and child health program for migrant farm-working families. I have felt how strongly our government doesn't help children and families to thrive - often, policy gets in the way and creates barriers.\r\n<p>I am running for Congress because I've seen many of the barriers our government creates and I want to work to remove them. I believe government should represent all of us, providing protections and services, so that we can raise strong and resilient families, and we can reach our potential. Our current congressman has had 10 years to represent our district, and he's voted against nearly every bill that would have invested money back into our district, and instead, sent it to greedy corporations.\r\n</p>\nI hope you will give me the opportunity to represent you!\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-121145-2022-04-17\" id=\"heading-key-message-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-121145-2022-04-17\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-121145-2022-04-17\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>I value people, and our small communities. I want to see our money invested here, not in greedy corporations.</li><li>Keep it local - I value our local economy, jobs in our area, our small farms, and access to quality healthcare.</li><li>It's time for change, we can strengthen the 8th with fresh leadership!</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-121145-2022-04-17\" id=\"heading1-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-121145-2022-04-17\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-121145-2022-04-17\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMaternal and Child Health/Maternity Care: My first policy interest was maternal and child health. For nearly 15 years I've worked in many ways to improve maternity and postpartum care for families.<br/>\n<p>Cannabis Legalization: I grew up in Colorado for a time, and then lived in Florida for graduate school; in both places I advocated for the legalization of cannabis.<br/>\r\nHealthcare: My experience in maternity care, and my graduate degree in public health, have given me a deep interest in policy that improves the quality and accessibility of our healthcare system.<br/>\r\nBodily sovereignty: I value your right to make all determinations over your body.<br/>\r\nVoting Rights: Our election systems can be much easier, and more accessible to every eligible voter. I value your right to have a government that makes exercising your civic duties convenient, not purposefully difficult.<br/>\r\nEnvironmental Restoration: I love nature and I value our right to a livable environment. Corporate profits aren't more important than our right to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and farm clean earth.<br/>\n</p>\nYour right to be you: I value people, and our diversity, and I believe government should protect your right to be you.<br/></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-121145-2022-04-17\" id=\"heading2-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-121145-2022-04-17\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-121145-2022-04-17\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThere are so many courageous people that I look up to. One thing they all have in common is that they didn't give up fighting for a better world, even when they faced seemingly impossible odds.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-121145-2022-04-17\" id=\"heading3-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-121145-2022-04-17\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-121145-2022-04-17\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI believe the ability to listen, and a capacity for empathy, are critical skills in someone who is meant to represent. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-121145-2022-04-17\" id=\"heading4-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-121145-2022-04-17\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-121145-2022-04-17\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI have empathy and I can listen. We need to remember that representatives should represent us - to do that they need to be good at listening to, and empathizing with, what their constituents experience. I am also very organized, driven to accomplish important tasks, and I enjoy working with other passionate people.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-121145-2022-04-17\" id=\"heading5-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-121145-2022-04-17\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-121145-2022-04-17\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tTo listen to and represent a diverse multitude of voices in their community, and to speak in favor of policy that will help, and against policy that will harm, the people you represent. To help those who face insurmountable obstacles and to find ways to remove the barriers often felt by the people you represent.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-121145-2022-04-17\" id=\"heading6-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-121145-2022-04-17\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-121145-2022-04-17\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t9/11 was a monumental event in my teenage years. I remember coming down the stairs in the morning, before school, and my step-dad was wide-mouthed staring at the TV. It was unusual for the TV to be on in the mornings, since it's hard enough to get a family out the door on time; I remember the second plane hitting the second tower as I stood there with him. We were all late for work and school that day.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-121145-2022-04-17\" id=\"heading7-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-121145-2022-04-17\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-121145-2022-04-17\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI worked at a bagel store in high school. On the weekends I started work at 5:45 am, weekdays I worked after school. It was a tasty job!\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-121145-2022-04-17\" id=\"heading8-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-121145-2022-04-17\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is your favorite book? Why?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-121145-2022-04-17\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tImpossible to choose just one. I love to read and there are so many great books.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-121145-2022-04-17\" id=\"heading9-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse9-121145-2022-04-17\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse9-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was the last song that got stuck in your head?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading9-121145-2022-04-17\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse9-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tIn our house, we've been singing a lot of songs from the movie Encanto.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-121145-2022-04-17\" id=\"heading10-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse10-121145-2022-04-17\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse10-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading10-121145-2022-04-17\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse10-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tEnding the corporate oligarchy and replacing their pawns with a government of real American representation.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-121145-2022-04-17\" id=\"heading11-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse11-121145-2022-04-17\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse11-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat are your thoughts on term limits?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading11-121145-2022-04-17\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse11-121145-2022-04-17\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI believe campaign finance reform will do more to minimize corporations bank-rolling their chosen candidates.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "Randi McCallian’s campaign website stated the following:\n“ Housing Our district doesn't have the housing infrastructure to support the creation of more jobs. We all feel frustrated when a home that needs *some* fixing gets torn down, and our small-town connections are severed; our community shrinks even more. Housing is crucial to our very lives, our health, to the local economy, and to raising strong families; I will invest in rural housing development. Internet ​All of us in the United States, regardless of how rural we are, should have access to high-speed internet – it should be a public utility. I intend to fight the corporate greed that keeps us from having access to internet resources like education, healthcare, and jobs. Investing in high-speed internet in our district is one of the important ways we can revitalize our rural economy. Healthcare My experience in healthcare access and improvement has taught me that government and health insurance should not make healthcare decisions for you. Our whole healthcare system needs a lot of work, and I have the background to make that happen. I want to protect Medicare, have a single-payer system, and affordable medications. I value your health far above the profits of Big Pharma. Roads & Bridges Like so many in the 8th, I live on a rural dirt road. We are dependent on city and county services to maintain our local roads so that school buses can safely get to and from school, mail can be delivered, we can make it to work, and access emergency services. For most of us in the 8th district, our personal vehicles are the only way to get groceries or get to work. We must invest in our rural infrastructure–it is our economic lifeline. Education Any economic growth we achieve isn't sustainable without a resilient new generation. I value high-quality public education; apprenticeships and trade school, affordable childcare; paid caregiving; and educational programs for our kids and teens. Investing in a system of support for our children, young adults, and their families should be an economic priority for all. Small Farms & Local Land Control I value our small farms and local land more than the profits of large corporations and foreign governments. I believe in local control because no one cares more for our land than those who need it to survive. Our farms, our forests, and our rivers are the lifeblood of our district and I will stand against Big Ag and Big Oil to keep our land clean and prosperous for generations. Jobs & Unions Due to poor policy choices, our district has lost a lot of jobs in manufacturing, education, farming & logging, trade work, and healthcare. This has hollowed-out our district and is one of the reasons young people leave our rural district for the cities. I stand with workers in our fight for a fair wage and strong benefits. We are stronger together and when we unionize, we will rebuild the middle class. Privacy I value your privacy and your right to make choices for yourself and your families without government interference. Your relationships, your faith, your body -- these are things that should be decided by YOU. I will fight to protect your right to reproductive liberty, to define your family, and to make personal and private decisions without corporate or government surveillance or interference. [3] ” —Randi McCallian’s campaign website (2024) [4]\n\n\nRandi McCallian completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McCallian's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I grew up the oldest of many siblings in a large, blended, military family - where I came to learn the value of support. I graduated college from Drake University with a B.S. in Psychology (minor: Biology), and later graduate school with a Master's degree in Public Health, concentration in Maternal and Child Health, from the University of South Florida. My professional experience includes working with children and families in their homes as an Early Head Start Parent Educator, providing education and support for children with developmental challenges, working with a state-wide perinatal quality collaborative to improve infant care in hospitals, and directing a multi-state maternal and child health program for migrant farm-working families. I have felt how strongly our government doesn't help children and families to thrive - often, policy gets in the way and creates barriers. I am running for Congress because I've seen many of the barriers our government creates and I want to work to remove them. I believe government should represent all of us, providing protections and services, so that we can raise strong and resilient families, and we can reach our potential. Our current congressman has had 10 years to represent our district, and he's voted against nearly every bill that would have invested money back into our district, and instead, sent it to greedy corporations. I hope you will give me the opportunity to represent you! Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? I value people, and our small communities. I want to see our money invested here, not in greedy corporations. Keep it local - I value our local economy, jobs in our area, our small farms, and access to quality healthcare. It's time for change, we can strengthen the 8th with fresh leadership! What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Maternal and Child Health/Maternity Care: My first policy interest was maternal and child health. For nearly 15 years I've worked in many ways to improve maternity and postpartum care for families. Cannabis Legalization: I grew up in Colorado for a time, and then lived in Florida for graduate school; in both places I advocated for the legalization of cannabis. Healthcare: My experience in maternity care, and my graduate degree in public health, have given me a deep interest in policy that improves the quality and accessibility of our healthcare system. Bodily sovereignty: I value your right to make all determinations over your body. Voting Rights: Our election systems can be much easier, and more accessible to every eligible voter. I value your right to have a government that makes exercising your civic duties convenient, not purposefully difficult. Environmental Restoration: I love nature and I value our right to a livable environment. Corporate profits aren't more important than our right to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and farm clean earth. Your right to be you: I value people, and our diversity, and I believe government should protect your right to be you. Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? There are so many courageous people that I look up to. One thing they all have in common is that they didn't give up fighting for a better world, even when they faced seemingly impossible odds. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? I believe the ability to listen, and a capacity for empathy, are critical skills in someone who is meant to represent. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? I have empathy and I can listen. We need to remember that representatives should represent us - to do that they need to be good at listening to, and empathizing with, what their constituents experience. I am also very organized, driven to accomplish important tasks, and I enjoy working with other passionate people. What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? To listen to and represent a diverse multitude of voices in their community, and to speak in favor of policy that will help, and against policy that will harm, the people you represent. To help those who face insurmountable obstacles and to find ways to remove the barriers often felt by the people you represent. What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? 9/11 was a monumental event in my teenage years. I remember coming down the stairs in the morning, before school, and my step-dad was wide-mouthed staring at the TV. It was unusual for the TV to be on in the mornings, since it's hard enough to get a family out the door on time; I remember the second plane hitting the second tower as I stood there with him. We were all late for work and school that day. What was your very first job? How long did you have it? I worked at a bagel store in high school. On the weekends I started work at 5:45 am, weekdays I worked after school. It was a tasty job! What is your favorite book? Why? Impossible to choose just one. I love to read and there are so many great books. What was the last song that got stuck in your head? In our house, we've been singing a lot of songs from the movie Encanto. What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade? Ending the corporate oligarchy and replacing their pawns with a government of real American representation. What are your thoughts on term limits? I believe campaign finance reform will do more to minimize corporations bank-rolling their chosen candidates.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>McCallian's campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p><b>Our Priorities</b>\n</p><p><b>Our People</b><br/>\n<b>Our Infrastructure</b><br/>\n<b>Our Economy</b>\n</p><p><b>Housing</b>\n</p><p>Our district doesn't even have the housing infrastructure to support the creation of more jobs. We all feel frustrated when a home that needs *some* fixing, gets torn down, and our small-town connections are severed; our community shrinks even more. Housing is crucial to our very lives, our health, to the local economy, and to raising strong families; I will invest in rural housing development.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>Internet</b>\n</p><p>​All of us in the United States, regardless of how rural we are, should have access to high-speed internet – it should be a public utility. I intend to fight the corporate greed that keeps us from having access to internet resources like education, healthcare, and jobs. Investing in high-speed internet in our district is one of the important ways we can revitalize our rural economy.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>Healthcare</b>\n</p><p>My experience in healthcare access and improvement has taught me that government and health insurance should not make healthcare decisions for you. Our whole healthcare system needs a lot of work, and I have the background to make that happen. I want to protect Medicare, have a single-payer system, and affordable medications. I value your health far above the profits of Big Pharma.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>Roads &amp; Bridges</b>\n</p><p>Like so many in the 8th, I live on a rural dirt road. We are dependent on city and county services to maintain our local roads so that school buses can safely get to and from school, mail can be delivered, we can make it to work, and access emergency services. For most of us in the 8th district, our personal vehicles are the only way to get groceries or get to work. We must invest in our rural infrastructure–it is our economic lifeline.\n</p><p><br/>\nI am standing up and fighting for our <u>Freedom</u> and <u>Liberty</u> against government tyranny and intrusion into our privacy.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>Education</b>\n</p><p>​Any economic growth we achieve isn't sustainable without a resilient new generation. I value high-quality public education; apprenticeships and trade school, affordable childcare; paid caregiving; and educational programs for our kids and teens. Investing in a system of support for our children, young adults, and their families should be an economic priority for all.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>Small Farms &amp; Local Land Control</b>\n</p><p>I value our small farms and local land more than the profits of large corporations and foreign governments. I believe in local control because no one cares more for our land than those who need it to survive. Our farms, our forests, and our rivers are the lifeblood of our district and I will stand against Big Ag and Big Oil to keep our land clean and prosperous for generations.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>Jobs &amp; Unions</b>\n</p><p>Due to poor policy choices, our district has lost a lot of jobs in manufacturing, education, farming &amp; logging, trade work, and healthcare. This has hollowed-out our district and is one of the reasons young people leave our rural district for the cities. I stand with workers in our fight for a fair wage and strong benefits. We are stronger together and when we unionize, we will rebuild the middle class.\n</p><p><br/>\n<b>Privacy</b>\n</p><p>I value your privacy and your right to make choices for yourself and your families without government interference. Your relationships, your faith, your body -- these are things that should be decided by YOU. I will fight to protect your right to reproductive liberty, to define your family, and to make personal and private decisions without corporate or government surveillance or interference.<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_3-1\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-3\">[3]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Randi McCallian's campaign website (2022)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-5\"><a href=\"#cite_note-5\">[5]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Randi McCallian completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McCallian's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-65827-2019-10-23\" id=\"heading-bio-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-65827-2019-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-65827-2019-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI have supported and counseled families in professional, often home-based, services as a: birth and postpartum doula, behavioral therapist for children with Autism, Early Head Start Home-Visitor, and an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Experiences which have given me a wealth of knowledge about the strengths and challenges we bring to the table - and what we need to thrive. My Master's Degree is in Public Health (MPH), with a concentration in community and family health, so that I could better understand how systems shape our health and choices - and ultimately, how I could shape those systems to improve the health of families and communities. I have experience in state-wide hospital quality improvement and I served as the Director of a 3-year, multi-state, maternal and child health program.\n<p>I believe the voices of our community, our children and families deserve now more than ever to be heard. We deserve safe and respectful healthcare, paid leave policies, pollution-free communities, quality and affordable childcare, affordable housing, and a living wage. I also care deeply about protecting our environment. I have two young children and I see how much we need representatives who are committed to protecting their liberty and opportunity. My ability to lead with empathy and compassion is something we haven't seen in politics for a long time, and I believe solid leadership that cares is what we all deserve.\n</p><p>Education and Certificates -\nMaster's of Public Health (MPH) University of South Florida, 2012\nBachelor's of Science (BS) Drake University, 2008\nInternationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), 2015\n</p><p>Professional Experience -\nProgram Director, Public Health \nResearch Associate, Hospital Quality Improvement\nCertified Professional Birth Doula, DONA International 2012-2017\nParent Education, Early Head Start &amp; Montessori\n</p>\nBehavioral Therapist, Autism Services &amp; Education\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-65827-2019-10-23\" id=\"heading-key-message-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-65827-2019-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-65827-2019-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>I value Strong Families. Our children have the right to reach their potential, to follow their path, and grow up with opportunity. I value your right to a strong family and I believe your government should protect that right.</li><li>I value Affordable and Quality Healthcare. You have a right to live a free and meaningful life, and that includes you or a loved one being able to receive affordable and essential healthcare, both physical and mental.</li><li>I value Colorado and our breathtaking landscapes. I want to protect our communities and our valuable resources, and to invest in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-65827-2019-10-23\" id=\"heading1-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-65827-2019-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-65827-2019-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tPublic Health, Community and Family Health, Maternal and Child Health. Maternity care reform (increasing access to midwifery care), child care affordability and expansion, Family Leave, protecting and strengthening public education. <br/>\n<p>Addressing factors that contribute to climate change, diversifying renewable and sustainable energy, improvements to infrastructure, diversifying agricultural investments and incentivizing carbon capture and soil regeneration.<br/>\n</p>\nIncreasing the affordability and quality of our healthcare. Ensuring rural access to high-quality care, public funding, and equitable access to healthcare education and professions for minority and underserved communities.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-65827-2019-10-23\" id=\"heading2-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-65827-2019-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-65827-2019-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tEmpathy, because you should feel what the people feel. <br/>\n<p>Authentic, because the people must believe you and must feel you are who you say you are. <br/>\nPassion, because an elected official needs to have the drive and motivation to do the hard work. <br/>\n</p>\nEnergy, because there is much work to be done!<br/></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-65827-2019-10-23\" id=\"heading3-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse3-65827-2019-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse3-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was your very first job? How long did you have it?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading3-65827-2019-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse3-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI started two jobs at about the same time, when I was around 16 years old. I worked a few Sundays a month in a Bingo hall and part-time in a Bagel shop. I kept both of these jobs until I went to college about 1.5 years later. The bagel store was tough hours for a high-schooler, I worked pretty much every weekend for a year-and-a-half starting at 6am. The food was delicious, though!\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-65827-2019-10-23\" id=\"heading4-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse4-65827-2019-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse4-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat was the last song that got stuck in your head?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading4-65827-2019-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse4-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\t*Baaaabbbyyyy SHARK doo doo do do do doo* <br/><br/>\n... I'm a mom... :-) <br/><br/></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-65827-2019-10-23\" id=\"heading5-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse5-65827-2019-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse5-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat is something that has been a struggle in your life?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading5-65827-2019-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse5-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tMy most challenging struggle has been becoming a mother. I wasn't ready for the loss of identity, the transition to becoming a totally new person - developing a new sense of self while simultaneously helping a tiny human develop theirs. Through the exhaustion and confusion, however, I've grown stronger, more patient, and I am infinitely better at negotiating with those who vehemently disagree with me. <br/><br/>\n<p>Where I feel privileged is that I have a very large and very close family and a wide network of friends that lift me up. This is one reason why I'm motivated to run for office, because I want to protect the right of others to build strong families and a community of loved ones, and right now I don't feel like our government protects that right. When it comes to resilience, a network of support, a community, makes all the difference.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nTo the caregivers out there who are struggling to become this new person while also raising a new person, I see you. This work is the hardest and most important, and you aren't alone!\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-65827-2019-10-23\" id=\"heading6-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse6-65827-2019-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse6-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tDo you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading6-65827-2019-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse6-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI believe it is more important that our elected State Representatives bring experience from outside the government and political arena - and this is something that has been largely missing for quite some time. We need a Legislature that is made up of a diverse group of people from varying backgrounds with a range of professional experiences, education, and interests. <br/>\nDid you know that there are lawyers working for the Legislature who actually help craft the legislative bills? Therefore, someone does not need a background as a Lawyer, or \"political experience\", in order to be an elected Representative! We need people who bring experience from the field, from the community, and from their families to ensure that the bills being written are actually addressing what the people of Colorado need. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-65827-2019-10-23\" id=\"heading7-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse7-65827-2019-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse7-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading7-65827-2019-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse7-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI believe there are three major areas where we face the greatest challenges in the coming decade:<br/>\n<p>1. Climate change, including: fires, drought, stronger storms, growing season disruptions, crop damage, and a loss of major tourism industries.<br/>\n2. Physical and mental health, including: high levels of pollution, increasing suicide rates, firearm safety, and costly healthcare. <br/>\n3. Resource depletion, including: water conservation, natural gas and oil management, and protecting small agriculture and regenerative farming. <br/><br/>\n</p>\nAll these areas are critical to address. Fortunately, we have answers to get us much closer to where we need to be. Let's elect leaders with the drive and determination to get them done, and in a just and equitable way. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-65827-2019-10-23\" id=\"heading8-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse8-65827-2019-10-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse8-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tBoth sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading8-65827-2019-10-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse8-65827-2019-10-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tOur community has a strong network of midwives, nurses, and doulas who work together to ensure birthing people receive the best and safest care possible. Once a quarter, a group of dedicated birthworkers come together to discuss home-birth transfers (when a transfer from giving birth at home to giving birth in the hospital, occurs - sometimes an emergency, but often for non-emergent reasons). Nurses and doulas (labor support professionals who provide physical, informational, and emotional support) also meet to share ideas and information, improve birth outcomes, and share stories to improve the care everyone provides during this monumentally influential time in our lives. This is an incredible model that improves care and to see it happen in our community shows how dedicated some of our grassroots care providers are! This is one reason I'm running for Senate, to ensure these levels of dedicated care are promoted and protected across the State; as well as serving for a model for other States. \t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "McCallian's campaign website stated the following:\n“ Our Priorities Our People Our Infrastructure Our Economy Housing Our district doesn't even have the housing infrastructure to support the creation of more jobs. We all feel frustrated when a home that needs *some* fixing, gets torn down, and our small-town connections are severed; our community shrinks even more. Housing is crucial to our very lives, our health, to the local economy, and to raising strong families; I will invest in rural housing development. Internet ​All of us in the United States, regardless of how rural we are, should have access to high-speed internet – it should be a public utility. I intend to fight the corporate greed that keeps us from having access to internet resources like education, healthcare, and jobs. Investing in high-speed internet in our district is one of the important ways we can revitalize our rural economy. Healthcare My experience in healthcare access and improvement has taught me that government and health insurance should not make healthcare decisions for you. Our whole healthcare system needs a lot of work, and I have the background to make that happen. I want to protect Medicare, have a single-payer system, and affordable medications. I value your health far above the profits of Big Pharma. Roads & Bridges Like so many in the 8th, I live on a rural dirt road. We are dependent on city and county services to maintain our local roads so that school buses can safely get to and from school, mail can be delivered, we can make it to work, and access emergency services. For most of us in the 8th district, our personal vehicles are the only way to get groceries or get to work. We must invest in our rural infrastructure–it is our economic lifeline. I am standing up and fighting for our Freedom and Liberty against government tyranny and intrusion into our privacy. Education ​Any economic growth we achieve isn't sustainable without a resilient new generation. I value high-quality public education; apprenticeships and trade school, affordable childcare; paid caregiving; and educational programs for our kids and teens. Investing in a system of support for our children, young adults, and their families should be an economic priority for all. Small Farms & Local Land Control I value our small farms and local land more than the profits of large corporations and foreign governments. I believe in local control because no one cares more for our land than those who need it to survive. Our farms, our forests, and our rivers are the lifeblood of our district and I will stand against Big Ag and Big Oil to keep our land clean and prosperous for generations. Jobs & Unions Due to poor policy choices, our district has lost a lot of jobs in manufacturing, education, farming & logging, trade work, and healthcare. This has hollowed-out our district and is one of the reasons young people leave our rural district for the cities. I stand with workers in our fight for a fair wage and strong benefits. We are stronger together and when we unionize, we will rebuild the middle class. Privacy I value your privacy and your right to make choices for yourself and your families without government interference. Your relationships, your faith, your body -- these are things that should be decided by YOU. I will fight to protect your right to reproductive liberty, to define your family, and to make personal and private decisions without corporate or government surveillance or interference. [3] ” —Randi McCallian's campaign website (2022) [5]\n\n\nRandi McCallian completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McCallian's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I have supported and counseled families in professional, often home-based, services as a: birth and postpartum doula, behavioral therapist for children with Autism, Early Head Start Home-Visitor, and an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Experiences which have given me a wealth of knowledge about the strengths and challenges we bring to the table - and what we need to thrive. My Master's Degree is in Public Health (MPH), with a concentration in community and family health, so that I could better understand how systems shape our health and choices - and ultimately, how I could shape those systems to improve the health of families and communities. I have experience in state-wide hospital quality improvement and I served as the Director of a 3-year, multi-state, maternal and child health program. I believe the voices of our community, our children and families deserve now more than ever to be heard. We deserve safe and respectful healthcare, paid leave policies, pollution-free communities, quality and affordable childcare, affordable housing, and a living wage. I also care deeply about protecting our environment. I have two young children and I see how much we need representatives who are committed to protecting their liberty and opportunity. My ability to lead with empathy and compassion is something we haven't seen in politics for a long time, and I believe solid leadership that cares is what we all deserve. Education and Certificates -\nMaster's of Public Health (MPH) University of South Florida, 2012\nBachelor's of Science (BS) Drake University, 2008\nInternationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), 2015 Professional Experience -\nProgram Director, Public Health \nResearch Associate, Hospital Quality Improvement\nCertified Professional Birth Doula, DONA International 2012-2017\nParent Education, Early Head Start & Montessori Behavioral Therapist, Autism Services & Education Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? I value Strong Families. Our children have the right to reach their potential, to follow their path, and grow up with opportunity. I value your right to a strong family and I believe your government should protect that right. I value Affordable and Quality Healthcare. You have a right to live a free and meaningful life, and that includes you or a loved one being able to receive affordable and essential healthcare, both physical and mental. I value Colorado and our breathtaking landscapes. I want to protect our communities and our valuable resources, and to invest in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Public Health, Community and Family Health, Maternal and Child Health. Maternity care reform (increasing access to midwifery care), child care affordability and expansion, Family Leave, protecting and strengthening public education. Addressing factors that contribute to climate change, diversifying renewable and sustainable energy, improvements to infrastructure, diversifying agricultural investments and incentivizing carbon capture and soil regeneration. Increasing the affordability and quality of our healthcare. Ensuring rural access to high-quality care, public funding, and equitable access to healthcare education and professions for minority and underserved communities. What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Empathy, because you should feel what the people feel. Authentic, because the people must believe you and must feel you are who you say you are. Passion, because an elected official needs to have the drive and motivation to do the hard work. Energy, because there is much work to be done! What was your very first job? How long did you have it? I started two jobs at about the same time, when I was around 16 years old. I worked a few Sundays a month in a Bingo hall and part-time in a Bagel shop. I kept both of these jobs until I went to college about 1.5 years later. The bagel store was tough hours for a high-schooler, I worked pretty much every weekend for a year-and-a-half starting at 6am. The food was delicious, though! What was the last song that got stuck in your head? *Baaaabbbyyyy SHARK doo doo do do do doo* ... I'm a mom... :-) What is something that has been a struggle in your life? My most challenging struggle has been becoming a mother. I wasn't ready for the loss of identity, the transition to becoming a totally new person - developing a new sense of self while simultaneously helping a tiny human develop theirs. Through the exhaustion and confusion, however, I've grown stronger, more patient, and I am infinitely better at negotiating with those who vehemently disagree with me. Where I feel privileged is that I have a very large and very close family and a wide network of friends that lift me up. This is one reason why I'm motivated to run for office, because I want to protect the right of others to build strong families and a community of loved ones, and right now I don't feel like our government protects that right. When it comes to resilience, a network of support, a community, makes all the difference. To the caregivers out there who are struggling to become this new person while also raising a new person, I see you. This work is the hardest and most important, and you aren't alone! Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics? I believe it is more important that our elected State Representatives bring experience from outside the government and political arena - and this is something that has been largely missing for quite some time. We need a Legislature that is made up of a diverse group of people from varying backgrounds with a range of professional experiences, education, and interests. Did you know that there are lawyers working for the Legislature who actually help craft the legislative bills? Therefore, someone does not need a background as a Lawyer, or \"political experience\", in order to be an elected Representative! We need people who bring experience from the field, from the community, and from their families to ensure that the bills being written are actually addressing what the people of Colorado need. What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade? I believe there are three major areas where we face the greatest challenges in the coming decade: 1. Climate change, including: fires, drought, stronger storms, growing season disruptions, crop damage, and a loss of major tourism industries. 2. Physical and mental health, including: high levels of pollution, increasing suicide rates, firearm safety, and costly healthcare. 3. Resource depletion, including: water conservation, natural gas and oil management, and protecting small agriculture and regenerative farming. All these areas are critical to address. Fortunately, we have answers to get us much closer to where we need to be. Let's elect leaders with the drive and determination to get them done, and in a just and equitable way. Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful? Our community has a strong network of midwives, nurses, and doulas who work together to ensure birthing people receive the best and safest care possible. Once a quarter, a group of dedicated birthworkers come together to discuss home-birth transfers (when a transfer from giving birth at home to giving birth in the hospital, occurs - sometimes an emergency, but often for non-emergent reasons). Nurses and doulas (labor support professionals who provide physical, informational, and emotional support) also meet to share ideas and information, improve birth outcomes, and share stories to improve the care everyone provides during this monumentally influential time in our lives. This is an incredible model that improves care and to see it happen in our community shows how dedicated some of our grassroots care providers are! This is one reason I'm running for Senate, to ensure these levels of dedicated care are promoted and protected across the State; as well as serving for a model for other States.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]