State Representative Candidate Jessica Piper

Jessica Piper, a high-school American Literature teacher, public schools advocate and a Democratic candidate for House District 1 in Missouri, discusses issues facing the rural voter.

Jess was raised - and has always lived - in rural America, yet she rejects much of the Republican orthodoxy and embraces the Democratic Party. Since rural America is solidly in the Republican orbit, Jess’s candidacy as a Democrat is a difficult journey. But she cites a number of reasons for her desire to run, including her deep sense of passion for her constituents and the belief that everyone should have basic rights, such as a reasonable minimum wage, access to healthcare, the right to unionize, and several other progressive ideas. Rural voters actually embrace these ideas, though the Republican Party does not.

Why is Republican messaging so effective in rural America even though economically, their policies often work against the rural voter? Why do the Democrats struggle with their messaging in rural America? Jess has deep insight into these issues, and in this podcast, she explores some possible answers.