User:Fpigulski/Mike Denklau

Michael Allen "Mike" Denklau (born November 10, 1982) is an American politician who is a member of the Democratic Party. He is currently running for a seat in the United States House of Representatives for the 5th District of Iowa. The district includes 32 counties in western Iowa. Should Denklau receive the Democratic nomination, he will face Republican incumbent, Steve King.

Early Life and Career
Mike is a fourth generation Iowan, having grown up in Blue Grass, Iowa. His parents are Dale and JoAnn Denklau. He left Blue Grass in 2001 and enrolled at Mississippi State University in 2002. The next year, in 2003, he transferred to the University of Iowa where he earned degrees in Finance and Political Science, earning honors and distinction in both disciplines. While in college, Denklau was an active member of the College Democrats of America and Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity.

After graduating from the University of Iowa in 2006, Denklau moved to New York, New York to work for Lehman Brothers Inc. as an investment banker specializing in capital raising, mortgage and home and tax and securities law. During his time in New York, Mike volunteered as a math tutor at the Harlem Children's Zone and an instructor at the First Tee junior golf program. He has also spent time as a teacher, having taught classes at the University of Iowa and the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth.

After Lehman Brothers went bankrupt, Denklau stayed on with the company for another nine months before deciding to move back to Iowa and pursue a career in politics.

Economy
Denklau believes creating manufacturing jobs and educating Americans will create jobs and lay the groundwork for long-term economic growth. Further, research and development in sectors such as agri-business and green industry will further Americans' competitive advantage in those sectors and encourage growth. Denklau also supports Improved infrastructure and reduced government interference with small businesses to create jobs and bring jobs to western Iowa.

Denklau also believes that responsible national debt reduction is necessary to ensure a viable American economy for generations to come.

Healthcare
Denklau supports healthcare reform focused on reducing costs, expanding coverage and providing better access to care. To reduce costs, Denklau supports:
 * Strong market competition
 * Access to pooling so individuals, families and small businesses can enjoy economies of scale
 * Wellness and prevention
 * Efficiency through increased innovation and improved management
 * Elimination of the hidden tax on the insured through taxpayer payments for inefficient emergency care for the uninsured. Denklau does not support a public option, but favors a regulated private system similar to that of Healthcare in the Netherlands

National Security
Denklau believes that economic stability is very important to American national security. Energy independence, border protection, and economic support for friendly states will bring stability and therefore safety to the United States and the world, according to Denklau. It is also important to limit threat multipliers such as global warming, which exacerbate stability issues in already fragile regions.

Education
Having been a teacher, Denklau views education as a critical component of America's future success and competitiveness. He has stated publicly that increasing educational opportunities for western Iowans is one of his top priorities. Denklau believes expanding community college and other training programs, improving financial aid regimes and reducing tuition costs will allow more Iowans to pursue higher education.