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AARP AARP States Iowa Advocacy

Welcome Iowa's Take a Stand Campaign Team

AARP Iowa is proud to introduce the 2016 Take a Stand Iowa field team. The  Take a Stand campaign is candidates to Take a Stand on Social Security and form a plan to update it, not just for current beneficiaries, but for their children and grandchildren, and is inviting Iowans to get involved in the effort.  Meet the team:

Skaggs
Josh Skaggs, Iowa's Take a Stand State Field Director



 

Joshua Skaggs, Iowa State Field Director, responsible for the Iowa campaign and field organization, is originally from Saint Louis Missouri. He is a graduate of Saint Louis University with a BA in political science. He worked on several campaigns including John Ashcroft’s state senate campaign in Missouri’s 24 th district.  Being a political scientist, he is thankful and honored for the opportunity to engage in Iowa politics and partner with the AARP on the Social Security issue. He believes Social Security is very important to us citizens and deserves more attention and advocacy. You can reach Josh at jskaggs@aarp.org.

 

 

 

 

Bernstein
Jeremy Bernstein, Regional Field Organizer, 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts



 

 

Jeremy Bernstein, Regional Field Organizer - IA 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts, has been working as a community and campaign field organizer since 2006. He is a graduate of Davenport North High School in Davenport, Iowa and Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana. His experience includes serving as campaign manager for Iowa state senator Rita Hart in 2012. He most recently worked as a field organizer for Smoke Free Kentucky in Owensboro, Kentucky working to get the Kentucky State Legislature to pass a smoke free workplace bill. You can reach him at jbernstein@aarp.org.

 

 

 

 

Garner
Austin Garner, Regional Field Organizer, 1st and 2nd  Congressional Districts



 

Austin Garner, Regional Field Organizer - IA 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts, was born and raised in the small town of Mechanicsville, IA, joined on with the Take a Stand campaign right after graduating from Drake University this past May after studying Electronic Media, Politics and Musical Theater. He's been politically active ever since winning a tight race for Senior Class Vice-President in high school and plans to attend law school following the completion of the campaign. You can reach him at agarner@aarp.org.

 

 

 

 

 

Ryan
Robert Ryan, Regional Field Organizer, 3rd Congressional District



 

Originally from Saint Louis, Robert "Connor" Ryan, Regional Field Organizer - IA 3rd Congressional District,  moved to Iowa this spring to work for what he considers the “exciting, interesting and innovative campaign of Take a Stand.” Studying English and political science, Ryan received his bachelors and masters degrees from Saint Louis University. Ryan has worked on various projects including SEIU Local 1 to help people gain economic security. Just earlier this year, Ryan moved to Philadelphia to assist the Environmental Defense Fund to raise millennials’ awareness of climate change and creating a connection between that and voting. You can reach him at rryan@aarp.org.

 

 

 

 

Thibon
Nathan Thibon, Regional Field Organizer, 4th Congressional District



 

Nathan Thibon, Regional Field Organizer - IA 4th Congressional District, from California, Missouri, has been interested in politics ever since he dressed as a presidential candidate for career day in third grade and handed out “campaign cards.”  An All-State track runner at California High School and an honor’s graduate in Biology and History at Saint Louis University, Nathan has experience in mediation through his work at the Better Business Bureau and in volunteer organizing as a member of Habitat for Humanity.  Having cared for his grandmother with dementia, Nathan is very passionate about Social Security issues and is proud to be a member of the Take a Stand campaign.  You may reach him at nthibon@aarp.org.

 

 

 

 

robphoto
Robert Bingham, Iowa's Take a Stand Social Media Organizer



 

Iowa Take a Stand Social Media Organizer Robert Bingham, originally from Northbrook, IL, now resides in Ames, Iowa. He attends Iowa State University, where he majors in Political Science and Public Relations. He has worked on many Iowa campaigns. His campaign experience includes: 2012 Organizing for America-IA, 2014 Iowa Democratic Parties Coordinated Campaign. He is excited to ensure that Social Security is just that … secure, for generations to come. You can reach him at rbingham@aarp.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Iowans are invited to join AARP in this national campaign to urge congressional and presidential candidates to commit to a plan to put Social Security on stable financial ground for the future. To find out how you can get involved, call 866-554-5378 or email  ia@aarp.org.

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