Sam Wilson is a non-profit professional in Cedar Rapids who filed her nominating papers for city council on September 2.
Greetings, Iowa! My name is Sam Wilson, and I’m a candidate for Cedar Rapids City Council, District 1 this year.
I am a local non-profit professional who is committed to making a positive difference right now. I’ve lived in Iowa my whole life and have called Cedar Rapids home since 2015. I’m a mum to two children and many adopted animals. I’ve earned a Bachelor’s in Animal Ecology and a Master’s in Philanthropy and Non-Profit Development—I believe this provides me with a unique set of skills to offer the governance and policy oversight for the City of Cedar Rapids.
Rooted in empathy, I spend much of my waking hours thinking about solving our community’s problems. A long-held value of mine is making sure people feel heard and valued. Part of my vision for serving as the City Council representative for District 1 is to be a voice for the people. With so much experience in community-based non-profit work, I have seen the transformative power of grassroots and community-led efforts. I plan on tapping into that experience to be a present and engaged leader ready to help empower the entire community.
My campaign is guided by three pillars:
IMPROVING HEALTH AND HOUSING STABILITY
I believe we can do this by increasing access to child care, health care, and grocery stores. City staff has already done some work to make Cedar Rapids a “15-minute city” (where essential places like grocery stores, health care, education, and entertainment options are within a 15-minute walk or bike ride) but I believe this work needs to be a top priority.
We also need to prioritize affordable housing throughout the city, while increasing resources for those experiencing homelessness. By working together with our local non-profits and other area governments, I agree with our homeless systems manager that we can make homelessness a “rare, brief and non-recurring” experience in our city.
BEST PRACTICE ANIMAL WELFARE POLICIES
I support the evolution of Chapter 23 ordinances. Chapter 23 of our municipal code governs the treatment of animals—whether they are pets in your home, strays on the street, or in our animal shelters. I will advocate for more solutions-focused policies and community-based programs, along with dedicating more resources to and addressing inefficiencies at our city-run animal shelter.
I support pet retention programs that include community pet pantries, low-cost veterinary services, pet rent/deposit assistance, and temporary foster care. I am also an advocate of community spay-neuter funds and targeted trap-neuter-return projects to manage feral cat populations around the city.
SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY
Public safety is really at the center of my policy, and I believe public safety goes far beyond the police and fire departments. It is achievable through affordable housing, access to medical care and food, flood protection, investing in public education and accessible infrastructure, and prioritizing sustainability.
I will advance Cedar Rapids’ 1,000 Acre Pollinator Initiative (adding pollinator space to parks and right-of-ways), support efforts to increase renewable energy via wind and solar resources, incentivize water use reduction and the sale/purchase of compostable products, and engage local non-profits on their efforts to make Cedar Rapids safer and more sustainable.
Working within the nonprofit sector for over a decade has been an honor; serving in roles such as Program Director, Grant Writer, and now Partnership Coordinator at Utility Arborist Association. Being naturally inclined to challenge the status quo has led me into innovative spaces. I consistently act with compassion for creatures big and small while working to support my community.
When much of the broader world is both metaphorically and literally on fire, it is easy to feel helpless, but we can always make a difference—especially right in our neighborhoods. It is our collective action that will shape our communities to be more resilient, vibrant, and connected. This next generation of leaders—Millennials and Gen Z—must step forward to drive innovation and I am proud to be a small piece of that evolution as an Elder Millennial. I cannot save the entire world, but I can do my best to do good in my small piece of the world. At the core of things, that really is it. I just want to make the most positive difference possible.
Since I started my campaign in March, I’ve been so humbled and inspired by the support of friends, neighbors, and volunteers. This campaign began with a social media post Council member David Maier made encouraging people to run for office. Part of his campaign policy was a commitment to coach and mentor future leaders, and I hope to join him on city council and expand on that mission. I really appreciate that he shared lessons he learned during his campaign, and introduced me to his friend and graphic designer, Nicole Weber, who then became my designer and campaign treasurer. Our collaborative efforts will continue to build momentum as we approach election cay on November 4 and hopefully will earn me the opportunity to serve as the District 1 Representative on the Cedar Rapids City Council!
I am running for city council to improve the health of the entire community; for humans, animals, and the earth. If you feel similar to me, if you feel an ache in your chest every time you pass someone along the road holding a cardboard sign, if you too want to create a world where our children grow up with high-quality, safe schools, and clean air and water, if you yearn for a healthier community, I’m asking you to support my campaign in any way within your means. You can learn more about my campaign, contact me directly, sign up to volunteer, or make a donation at vote4samwilson.org.
Top photo of Sam Wilson provided by the author.
Editor’s note: Bleeding Heartland welcomes guest posts by progressive or Democratic candidates in Iowa’s 2025 city or school board races, or by their supporters. Please reach out to Laura Belin if you are interested in writing.