Our guest speaker for the June Hungry Club is Kishla Askins. Kishla recently announced her candidacy for the District 2 seat of the House of Representatives being vacated by Congressman Don Bacon’s retirement.
Here is a little bit about Kishla to get to know her:
I’m a proud Midwesterner, daughter of a Vietnam Veteran who worked nights in the auto and glass industry and a mother who served as a probation officer while raising five children, including one with a significant cognitive disability. My parents instilled in me the values of perseverance, family, and community – values that inspired me to enlist in the Navy to serve my country.
I spent three decades serving around the world in the military. I worked hard to finish college at night, leading to a commission as a Naval Officer, and served with the U.S. Marines as a
Physician Assistant. I led missions in Iraq and in support of Afghanistan; directed international training exercises in Africa, Oman, and Kuwait; coordinated relief efforts in Haiti; led medical
operations for John F. Kennedy Jr’s burial at sea; and was part of the response for the terrorist attack on the USS Cole.
My experiences on the battlefield, caring for the men and women who fought to keep us safe, has shaped every aspect of my life. Returning from combat in Iraq, I identified a critical shortage in emergency medicine providers, so I led the creation of the Navy’s first graduate medical education program for Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants (EMPAs)—designing the policies, building the training pipeline, and creating a new staffing model to meet the need. I forged strong partnerships across the community to support clinical training and served as faculty for the Emergency Medicine residency, ensuring the next generation of providers was mission-ready and community-grounded.
My military service then took me to Washington DC, where I worked as a Senior Defense Advisor to Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly. Some find being a Democrat in a deep red state to be uncomfortable, but my experience in the Senator’s office taught me the power of achieving common purpose through caring and collaboration. Among the many national security issues I worked, one of my proudest accomplishments in his office was seeing mental health legislation I worked on included in the National Defense Authorization Act and signed into law by President Obama. I then served as congressional liaison to the Surgeon General of the Navy and senior military advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs.
Most recently, I served in the Biden-Harris Administration as a Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Department of Veterans Affairs, leveraging data, governance, and policy to help our nation better care for veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. I’m a proud graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and this year I’ll defend my doctorate in public health, earning my third degree from the Nebraska University system. I married my wife Alison — a retired Marine Corps pilot and fellow combat veteran — in 2015. We live in Omaha, Nebraska with our dog Bentley.
Helping people become informed voters is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen a community and protect democracy. Here’s why it truly matters:
People who understand the issues and candidates can choose leaders who truly reflect their values and needs.
Informed Voting Leads to Better Representation.
It helps ensure that elected officials are accountable to knowledgeable constituents.
Reduces Misinformation and Manipulation
Educated voters are less likely to be swayed by false claims, emotional appeals, or misleading ads.
They can critically evaluate sources and seek out facts before making decisions. Increases Engagement and Empowerment
When people understand how policies affect their lives, they’re more likely to vote, volunteer, and advocate.
Builds Stronger Communities. Informed voters are more likely to support initiatives that benefit schools, healthcare, public safety, and economic development.
Join us for lunch or a cold drink at Big Mama’s Kitchen.
