SPENCER, IA – Leann Jacobson, candidate for Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, released a statement Friday regarding racially charged events by certain students from Spencer High School during a basketball game against visiting Storm Lake High School this week.
“I am deeply disappointed and very upset by the racist chants a small number of students and others were participating in this week. Having lived in Spencer for the last 10 years, I know this is not reflective of the community, the school, or administration as a whole, but for those few individuals who think that this type of response and mentality is okay, we will not stand for this.
This doesn’t come as a surprise to me, however, when we have leadership in this state and federal level that have emboldened this type of nativist attitude and racial bias. While we have an administration that has been complicit with these beliefs, the people in Iowa’s 4th District have been hearing this for 15 years under Steve King. The divisive rhetoric and racially charged language he uses as an elected official only encourages our younger generation to think this attitude is okay. The people in Northwest Iowa or more inclusive then this and should accept anyone in our great state that contributes to our community.”
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Leann Jacobsen grew up in Minnesota, and moved to Iowa in the 90s as a vice president of state government affairs with AT&T. In 2001, after nearly 20 years with AT&T, Leann retired to launch Capitol Gains, an advocacy firm focused on business, economic development, arts & culture, and child welfare. During that time, Leann also devoted a great deal of energy to Iowa Women in Public Policy, a bipartisan organization she founded to help encourage women to actively engage in public office. From Capitol Gains, Leann devoted her time as President of the Technology Association of Iowa and helped grow Iowa’s emerging technology sector. Leann is a very proud mother of two daughters, both hard-working women. Leann raised her daughters and put them through college mostly on her own. In 2011, Leann married her husband, David, and became the lucky stepmom to his four great kids. Today, she is also a grandmother and step-grandmother of seven wonderful children. Leann moved to Spencer—David’s hometown. In addition to owning the Bear Coffee House and Wine Bar and founding the Riverfront Farmer’s Market, Leann is also on the city council, and serves on the board of Spencer Municipal Hospital.
