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Peggy Bennett is a retired teacher. I am a special education teacher. Both of us often call our students our kids. When I call my students my kids, it means that I care about them and want the best for all of them. I have their backs.

Unfortunately, Rep. Bennett cannot see past her far-right extremist ideology to have the backs of all of her former students. She votes and speaks against the best interest of students time after time.

Bennett doesn’t support students who are hungry. In February 2023, she voted against HF 5, which provides free breakfast and lunch to all students at school.

Bennett does not support students learning to read. Although Bennett has repeatedly spoken out about the dire reading statistics (including 47% reading proficiency for third graders), in May 2024, she voted against the education omnibus bill, which includes the Read Act provision which will help students get to proficiency in reading by ensuring teachers have the skills to teach using research based instruction. Bennett has stated in a legislative update that “literacy is learning,” but when it came to voting on a bill that would help, she voted no.

Bennett does not support LGBTQ students. In 2023, Bennett voted against HF 16, which banned the dangerous practice of conversion therapy for children and vulnerable adults. This ban prohibits therapy aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The American Psychological Association and UN Human Rights Office support bans on conversion therapy. Bennett also voted against HF 146, which protects gender affirming care. Her vote goes against the recommendations of leading medical groups who recognize the medical necessity and endorse such treatments (The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association).

Bennett doesn’t support the higher education aspirations of students. In 2023, she voted against HF 2073, which includes free college tuition to students whose families make less than $80,000.

Bennett doesn’t support her female students. In 2021, Rep. Bennett co-authored HF 262, which aimed to prohibit abortions and establish criminal penalties against physicians who perform abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected. In 2023, Bennett voted against HF 1, which establishes abortion protections as a constitutional right. In 2024, Bennett voted against the Equal Rights Amendment (HF17). Bennett has also spoken out against menstrual product availability in schools — poking fun that they are mandated to be put in boys’ bathrooms (the requirement is available to all who menstruate, with no mention of boys’ bathrooms).

Bennett doesn’t support students learning history that includes other cultures and ethnicities. Just last week, Bennett spoke out about ethnic studies on her House Facebook page, spreading fear about division. I believe learning about others brings people together instead of dividing them.

Rep. Bennett has a slogan, people over politics. I don’t believe it. She can’t even put her own students (her kids) over politics.

Angie Hanson
Albert Lea