NEWS RELEASE

More than 60 Former Educators Proclaim that U.S. Rep. Hinson

Has Failed to Demonstrate Decency

Educators from a New Grassroots Group Demand Decency from Iowa’s Leadership

DES MOINES, IOWA (May 16, 2026) – As Iowa prepares for graduations across the state, dozens of former educators and members of a new values-based grassroots organization gathered at the State Capitol Saturday and proclaimed that U.S. Senate candidate Ashley Hinson has failed to demonstrate decency in her current position as U.S. Representative for Iowa’s 2nd district. 

The educators, a mix of Independents, Republicans and Democrats from West Des Moines schools, are part of a new group called Iowans for Decency that seeks to empower Iowans to protect democracy through truth-telling and integrity. They took turns Saturday reading a letter written and signed by more than 60 teachers, highlighting Hinson’s voting record and policies they believe are hurting Iowans. 

Those who wrote the letter said they felt compelled to express their disappointment because many were teaching when Hinson was a student in West Des Moines. “We are saddened and disappointed by your votes, loyalties and words as a U.S. Congresswoman,” read Nick Nelsen, a retired Valley High School teacher. “You are failing your state and country. Your actions are antithetical to good and just decency.”

“Time and again, Hinson has voted against Iowans and in ways that do not represent our values of honesty, integrity, justice, kindness, compassion and decency,” added Nelsen.  “We have spent our careers teaching our students to be decent, upstanding people who we hope will become proud Iowans who look out for their neighbors.” 

The teachers criticized Hinson for favoring Iowa’s most wealthy with tax cuts while declining help to all Iowans. “Instead of choosing to vote for decency, Hinson voted to take insurance from 86,000 Iowans, and voted to take food assistance from 270,000 low-income Iowans,” stated Nelsen. ”Her vote for the Big Beautiful Bill is also causing rural hospitals to close. As a Christian, I simply can’t tolerate policies that favor billionaires over those who most need help.”

Kathy Meyer, also a retired West Des Moines teacher, said she defines decency as kindness, integrity, acceptance, responsibility and using our skills to make the world a better place. “Hinson’s support for the President’s tariffs is not decent. Our farmers have been left with fewer markets to sell their crops, record bankruptcies and we’re dead last for economic growth.” She also voiced sadness that Hinson voted to reverse protections in the Clean Water Act at a time when Iowa is struggling with the highest nitrate-water levels in the U.S. “I want to go back to the Iowa of yesterday when we were not top in the country for cancer rates and at the bottom for economic growth."

The letter voices disappointment with Hinson’s support of Trump and her silence regarding corruption. ”Hinson said she will be the President’s biggest ally in the Senate, even though he is a convicted felon and he and his family have personally profited in the billions,” said Meyer.

The teachers called out Hinson’s hypocrisy in saying that we should spend “tax dollars more responsibly” and then voted to add $3.4 trillion to a national debt of more than $39 trillion. The educators also denounced her support of the war in Iran that has cost more than $25 billion and raised gas, diesel and fertilizer costs for Iowans. Hinson’s honesty was also questioned, citing an example of when Hinson took credit for $829 million in federal funding that will pay for upgraded locks and dams along the Upper Mississippi River, even though she actually voted against the bill.

Erika Cook, Ph.D., a former West Des Moines administrator and chief academic officer for the State of Iowa added, “There is nothing right or decent about defunding USAID, causing deaths to millions of innocents, and incarcerating thousands in detention centers without due process. As a registered Independent who has voted for both parties, and as someone who has worked on both sides of the political aisle, now isn’t about liberal or conservative policies, but about right and wrong.” 

In addition to teachers and other members of Iowans for Decency, the gathering at the Capitol rotunda was attended by students, families, business owners, farmers, and others who care about Iowa and felt more like a tribute to teachers than a campaign rally. Peter Hedges, a Valley High School graduate, and Oscar-nominated writer and film director most known for his novel “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” that is set in Iowa, shared how his high school drama teacher “had irrevocably altered and bettered the course of his life.” 

Hedges is a founding member of Iowans for Decency and said the group began as childhood friends, and former classmates and teachers who came together this past year over concern about the future of Iowa and our country.  “We all share similar values like honesty, integrity, kindness and decency – and felt called to form a new organization that focuses on those values.”

“Iowans for Decency is grassroots and people-powered, and consists of volunteers who care deeply about Iowa,” said Dr. Jay Brown, a retired allergist who serves as treasurer. Brown said that while Iowans for Decency sees their role largely as truth-tellers, they have no intention of making personal attacks and that they are concerned about the policies that Hinson enacts and the big-monied interests that she serves. He said the teacher’s letter is steeped in research and that every criticism is fact based. Sources can be found at iowansfordecency.org/sources. 

After the primary, Iowans for Decency said they will be leaning into their mission to uphold decency and integrity in Iowa politics by engaging with voters, sharing thoughtful, honest, and authentic content, and helping to get out the pro-Democracy vote.

Matt Russell, a fifth-generation Iowa farmer and member of Iowans for Decency, challenged Iowans to organize, stand up, and speak out so we can return to the proven values that teachers in every corner of this state have dedicated their careers to teaching and living. “Hinson has supported policies that eliminated funding for small and diversified farmers, cut public investments in environmental solutions to Iowa’s water crisis, and dismantled the very infrastructure that keeps our small towns alive. Hinson claims that she cares about rural Iowa, but actions speak louder than words.”

Educators, workers and professionals representing a broad cross-section of concerned Iowa citizens invited everyone to support their demand for decency, sign the letter and join the movement on our website, at iowansfordecency.org.

###

Iowans for Decency is a values-based organization that hopes to empower Iowans to protect democracy through truth-telling and integrity. We are an Ames-headquartered organization appealing to decent people statewide.