Byron School Board member receives DFL endorsement for District 24A
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY THE DODGE COUNTY INDEPDENDENT; WRITTEN BY: ALEX MALM CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Byron School Board member Heather Holmes, has secured the DFL endorsement for House District 24 A during the Senate District Committee convention, on Saturday, April 27.
“The endorsement means a lot to me because my values closely align with those of the DFL,” Holmes wrote in an email. “Both of my parents and my husband are in labor unions, so I’ve always respected the DFL for their support of both the labor movement and working-class families. Ensuring that people have what they need to provide for their families is also very important to me. Everyone benefits from the success of others.”
The seat is currently held by long time lawmaker and former Byron School Board member state Rep. Duane Quam R—24.
Holmes, a Wisconsin native, got her degree in biology from UW-Superior, and lived in California for some time, while her husband and high school sweetheart Amos, was a wildland firefighter, before moving to Byron in 2006, for her first job and to be closer to home. The couple has one daughter Gabby, a Byron High School student.
She currently works as a research technologist in a transport biology lab in Rochester, according to a DFL press release.
Asked what motivated her to run for higher office, she said “I was always taught that you take care of your neighbors.”
“We help shovel each other out in snowstorms or bring meals to those experiencing tragedy. We make sure people in our communities have what they need,” Holmes wrote. “When you look at a budget, it shows you the values of those who made it. I’m running for office because I believe our state’s budget should be reflective of this value of caring for others. We can build an economy that works for all Minnesotans, not just those at the top. I envision our state as a place where all people are safe and empowered to pursue the life that they choose.”
If elected to represent Dodge County and parts of Olmsted County in St. Paul, Holmes said there is still more work to be done following the 2023 legislative session.
“I know many in our more rural areas often feel left out of the conversation,” she said. “I want to be a voice for those communities to make sure their needs are being met. I’ve lived in smaller communities my entire life. Sometimes policies that work well in larger cities can affect smaller areas quite differently.”
With her work and personal experiences, she hopes to bring “a different perspective” to St. Paul.
“We need to ensure changes that are being made don’t end up harming the communities they’re intended to help,” she wrote. “There are many issues I’d like to help make progress on.”
One example she pointed to is public school funding for schools in the district, saying “schools in 24A are still near the bottom when it comes to per student funding.”
“Our public schools in smaller communities face unique challenges when it comes to funding. Another pressing issue is working on finding ways to better fund our rural EMS services,” Holmes wrote. “Volunteer ambulance services are struggling to stay afloat all over Minnesota. Everyone needs access to reliable EMS care. I also hope to help address the issues of the lack of affordable housing and childcare. These are all complicated issues, but they are far too important to ignore.”
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