Stephanie Steiner, a former community college graduate from Northwest Iowa Community College (NCC) in Sheldon, spent years working as a union nurse in Sioux City and as a travel nurse across the country. A self-described progressive, everyday Iowan, Steiner states that her campaign is built on lived experiences rather than political insider connections. Her platform targets systemic issues across healthcare, taxation, technology, and agriculture.
Background and Experience
Steiner’s path to a congressional run is rooted in decades of blue-collar and agricultural work. She moved to northwest Iowa at age 15 and worked various odd jobs, including waitressing, certified nursing assistant (CNA) work, and heavy construction alongside her father, setting slats for local hog barns. After earning her GED at 17, she balanced raising a large family with working opposite shifts to avoid unaffordable childcare costs.
Seeking long-term stability, Steiner earned her associate degree from NCC in Sheldon. She then spent six years as a union nurse at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City’s women’s health department, followed by another six years as a travel nurse navigating healthcare systems nationwide. Steiner, a longtime registered independent, explains that a profound personal tragedy in 2019 catalyzed her transition into progressive politics, when her husband passed away from severe agricultural-related COPD after losing access to his affordable medications.
Key Policy Priorities
Steiner’s legislative platform focuses heavily on reducing costs for families, expanding federal safety nets, and increasing regulations on corporate entities. Her core priorities include:
- Single-Payer Universal Healthcare
- Reversing Rural Healthcare Cuts
- Federal Protections for Medical Privacy
- Tax Restructuring and Corporate Wealth Taxes
- AI Water and Energy Usage Restrictions
- Environmental Clean-Up and Agricultural Diversification
- Campaign Finance Reform
Following the Campaign
Voters looking to follow and learn more about the campaign can visit steinerforIowa.com. Additionally, the campaign is hosting virtual town halls leading up to the primary election date. The primary will be June 2 from 7 am-8 pm.
This story is part of the Race to NW Iowa Representative series. You can read Republican candidate Chris McGowan’s story HERE. Democrat candidate Dave Dawson’s story HERE. And Democrat candidate Ashley WolfTornabane’s story HERE.
