DELHI – Jody (Madlom) Puffett of Delhi proudly announced today that her campaign has cleared a major hurdle: she has officially been notified by the Iowa Secretary of State that her name will be certified to the appropriate county commissioners of elections, for inclusion on the ballot for the November 5, 2024 General Election.
Puffett will run as an Independent candidate, unaffiliated with any political party, vying for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for Iowa’s 2nd District.
“In just over 2 months, our small but mighty grassroots team not only met, but surpassed, the number of signatures required to get on the ballot,†Puffett said. “What makes this accomplishment even more remarkable is that we did it without the backing of a political party. People told us it couldn’t be done, but that just shows you should never underestimate an underdog who has passion and conviction!â€
Puffett’s path to the ballot has been paved by hard work and a commitment to connecting with voters directly. Since announcing her intent to run on June 6th, she has been attending county fairs, community events, and going door-to-door to businesses across the district engaging with constituents.
“Meeting with people face-to-face was an incredible experience,†Puffett reflected. “It reinforced why I am running. District 2, I’ve heard you loud and clear. You are frustrated with both political parties. You are tired of politicians who only talk the talk but fail to walk the walk when it’s time to vote or challenge the status quo. And you are angry about the complete lack of fiscal responsibility we see in Washington today.â€
Puffett is shaking up the Congressional race in Iowa’s Second District, boldly challenging the political norms set by her major party opponents, Ashley Hinson (R) and Sarah Corkery (D). Running on a platform that emphasizes Policy Over Party and People Over Politics, Puffett is committed to being a true representative of the people. When asked about the challenges of running as an Independent, Puffett responded: “I have no doubt that Ashley and Sarah will flood this campaign with political party money, but I believe running as an Independent is actually my biggest strength. I am not beholden to a party platform for support. My campaign is about running a clean, straightforward race that focuses on what really matters to the people of our district.â€
Jody Puffett outlined her key priorities and commitments for her first year in office:
1. Prioritizing Domestic Needs Over Foreign Aid: “While I understand the need to support our allies, we need to take care of the needs of our own citizens first and foremost,†Puffett emphasized. “We should not be sending hundreds of billions of dollars to other countries while we still have veterans who are homeless. It is disgraceful. We also need to provide the funding to secure our own border and improve a legal immigration process and path to citizenship.’
2. Investing in Local Needs: Puffett is committed to directing more funding back to the district, specifically to bolster funding for veterans,
mental health services, foster care, and education.
3. Cutting Government Waste: Puffett plans to scrutinize and reduce unnecessary spending, beginning with Congress itself. It’s time Congress leads by example, cutting expenses and walking the walk that every-day Iowans do,†she said. For example, you won’t see me spending taxpayer dollars for trips to Israel or Ukraine. That is why we have a Department of State.†Another area of focus for Puffett will be congressional compensation and benefits.
4. Promoting Transparency with Single-Subject Bills: Criticizing both major parties for using multi-issue bills to manipulate legislative outcomes. Puffett declared, “This tactic is not only unethical but also lacks transparency. I will advocate for bills that address one issue at a time, ensuring that every piece of legislation is clear and focused.â€
5. Advocating for Term Limits: Puffett believes in bringing fresh and current perspectives to Congress, appointed officials, and the Supreme Court, and she will push for legislation that sets term limits for these roles.
Looking ahead, Puffett expressed her eagerness to debate Ashley and Sarah on the issues that matter most to voters. She made it clear that she is not running for personal gain or a long-term political career.
“I’m here to champion real change in our political system,†she said. “And to prove my commitment, once elected, I pledge to donate my entire 2025 Congressional salary to charities within the 2nd district, where the need is great, and resources are scarce.â€
With her bold stance and dedication to meaningful change, Jody Puffett is positioning herself as a refreshing alternative to the usual political landscape. She invites the residents of Iowa’s District 2 to join her in making a difference, focusing on solutions that prioritize the community’s well-being over political gamesmanship.
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