Elesha Gayman for Iowa House

[LincolnMcGrath]

http://eleshagayman.com/index.htm

Born and raised in Davenport, Elesha Gayman was the oldest and first daughter of John and Rebekah “Beckey” Gayman. Her father has been a Teamster for the past 30 years and her mother stayed at home to raise her children and owned her own interior design business.

While attending St. Marks preschool and then Trinity Lutheran school in Davenport, Elesha's interest was first peeked in politics when in the eighth grade she was nominated to a youth city council initiated by former alderman and state representative Neil Harrison.

After attending Smart Junior High her freshman year, Elesha graduated from Davenport West High School where she continued with the Davenport youth city council and student government. Among other things she was involved in tennis, dance, swimming, debate and even founded the West High School environmental club.

Elesha attended St. Ambrose University her freshman year of college and spent the first semester of her sophomore year at Loyola University’s Rome Center in Italy. Upon return to the states she transferred to the University of Iowa and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations. While at Iowa Elesha was involved in the college Democrats and participated in Synchronized Swimming while working numerous part-time jobs.

Since college Elesha has been busy serving the community in the non-profit sector as a grant writer and fundraiser and volunteering her time to numerous organizations. In 2004 she was elected to represent Iowa at the Democratic National Convention and later worked for John Kerry during the last months of the election. Since the election she has worked as a clerk for the Iowa Senate and continues to write grants and do consulting work for various not-for-profits.

[IA_Seth]

1. Does anyone know how old she is?

She looks pretty young, maybe would be a good one to recommend for Dembench.org?

[LincolnMcGrath]

5. If I had to guess I would say .......

Better not do that, I got yelled at @ work for over-guessing a young ladies age! lol

Old enough to run. How about that?

[IA_Seth]

10. Definitely!

I guess the DemBench.org site is for 40 and under, and she is either well under 40 or has a hell of a beauty secret!

I will have to look into her and submit her info to that site.

[elesha]

17. Thanks!

I was just checking my website stats and you all have given me a lot of traffic! Thanks! Just to answer your questions...I am going to be 28 on Election Day. I did work for Kerry and I hosted fundraisers for Art Small and Bill Gluba last cycle. Please feel free to contact me anytime! Elesha

[LincolnMcGrath]

18. Hello and Welcome aboard Elesha

:yourock: Are you going to the Steak Fry next week?

[IA_Seth]

19. Hello

Hi and welcome to DU.

I hope you don't mind that I submitted your info to DemBench.org; but I figured you fit well within their stated mission of helping the future leaders of the Democratic Party get elected.

I hope you stick around!

[Debi]

20. Good luck in your race!

You have very good people in your district!

:bounce:

[Debi]

2. Who is she running against? for what seat?

The IDP is recruiting several younger people to run for the IA House/Senate. I think it's a great idea.

[CornField]

3. Looks like Iowa House Dist. 84

At least, that's what I gather from her website:
http://www.legis.state.ia.us/GA/81GA/House/DistrictInfo/084.pdf

[Debi]

4. I wonder if that's the one Cammie Pohl (sp) ran for in 2004 n/t

[LincolnMcGrath]

7. Yep

[Debi]

12. Thanks n/t

[LincolnMcGrath]

6. Jim R. Van Fossen (R) Iowa House District 84

Some more info on Elesha http://www.blogforiowa.com/blog/_archives/2005/8/7/1115492.html

[CornField]

8. Do you know her? I think I met her in Des Moines

at John Edwards' first campaign stop after being named vice president. Was she a worker on Art Small's campaign?

[LincolnMcGrath]

9. I met her at the 1st District Workshop in Peosta.

I know she worked for Kerry, not sure about Small.

[IA_Seth]

11. She may have been.....

but living in the 1st District she would have been outside of Art Small's district. I suppose that might not mean much.

[Debi]

13. Small ran for US Senate...we're all in his district

:hi:

[IA_Seth]

15. Yeah, whoops. So its early, can that be my excuse?

[Debi]

16. That and your head is full of all the other political tid bits you know

;)

[Debi]

14. He should not be in that seat

Running on his kid's name and VERY right-wing record.

Would love to have that seat!

[LocalDem]

21. Elesha is UP on DemBench.org

The profile is up here: Elesha's Profile.
Now the trick is for us and others in the netroots community to help give her a boost!

[person7118]

22. Elesha Gayman

I have personally worked with Elesha on a campaign. She's a really great person to be around. She's fun, hardworking, good listener, goal oriented and all that good stuff! Vote for her if you're in her district, she won't fail you!


Crystal

[IA_Seth]

23. Welcome to DU Crystal!

Lol, I always wanted to do that, but everyone usually beats me.

Stick around for a while!

[LincolnMcGrath]

24. Welcome to DU Crystal

:hi:

[person7118]

26. Thanks for the welcome guys!

:-) Now that I've found this place I won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

[Debi]

25. Welcome newbie!

:hi:

:toast:

:bounce: