Millennial Iowan: ‘With Trump, I only see dictatorship’

Not everyone can have their ideal candidate for president, especially about 100 days out from the election. But Colleen Hunkele, a millennial Iowan, believes while Harris isn’t their ideal candidate, they still agree with a lot her administration would put forward.

“I do have a lot of faith that marginalized groups will be seen, women will be seen, trans people will be seen,” Hunkele, 30, of Chariton, said. “Whereas with Trump, I only see dictatorship.”

Voting isn’t just for the sake of themselves, Hunkele said. There are plenty of intersectional issues that impact underrepresented groups, which is why they are going to the polls. Reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ rights are among Hunkele’s top reasons for voting in the election, because without a “blue wave” of Democrats elected to office, they realize only more rights will be stripped from everyday Americans.

Hunkele recognizes, however, how many young people face a sense of doom and hopelessness during election season. But with human rights on the table, they said it’s important for them to have faith in the future and refuse to give in to worry and doubt.

To encourage people to check the ballot, Hunkele said people should think of voting like they think of doing extra credit.

“If you vote and your outcomes don’t happen, no skin off your nose, at least you did your part,” they explained. “But if you don’t, then you’ll never know what could’ve been if you had gone out there.”

There’s no harm in checking the boxes that make the most sense, and then going about your day, Hunkele said.