“I’ve been fighting alongside you and others for equal rights…and I’m just getting warmed up.” Hillary Clinton

Yes, I’m voting for Hillary Clinton. No, I’m not part of the ‘establishment,’ a Wall Street banker, or part of the corporate elite. I’m a self-employed, middle class, gay man living in Iowa. I could describe myself as a ‘regular Joe,’ but my name is Ryan and #ImWithHer.

I’m proud to live, work and play in Iowa and I’m not ashamed to #IowaBrag. Living in Iowa comes with many perks, but every four years there’s one that truly sets our state apart: the Iowa Caucuses. We’re the first state in the nation to cast votes in the journey to elect our next President. Every Presidential candidate visits our state from north to south and east to west. They visit the Iowa State Fair, manufacturing plants and universities. They eat at local diners, march in parades, and yes they hang out in people’s homes. It’s a one of a kind experience.

Over the past nine months, I’ve had the privilege to participate in townhalls, state and local Democratic dinners and meet with all three Democratic candidates for President: Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley. I respect and admire them all. O’Malley’s accomplishments as Mayor of Baltimore and Governor of Maryland are impressive. Sander’s vision on a multitude of issues is compelling. But a compelling vision doesn’t necessarily translate into success governing a diverse and often divided populace.

This is where Hillary’s strength lies. She combines a progressive vision of America with a demonstrated ability to achieve measurable and meaningful results. As she recently said, “I’m a progressive who gets things done.”

Here’s why #ImWithHer:

SHE’S QUALIFIED. Hillary Clinton has a combination of experience and achievement unlike any other candidate in this and arguably any election in history. Like me, she was a Senior Class President (okay, I was Class President in High School — her tenure was at Wellesley College). She graduated with honors from Yale Law School and worked for the Children’s Defense Fund. She was First Lady of Arkansas, First Lady of the United States, US Senator from New York and served as US Secretary of State. She’s shattered all but one glass ceiling. Not bad for a woman some people call ‘the establishment.’

SHE’S FIGHTING FOR THE ISSUES AMERICANS CARE ABOUT. She believes in climate change, protecting our environment and continuing the Renewable Fuel Standard. She supports overturning Citizen’s United, advocates for veterans, and has a detailed plan for fixing our broken criminal justice system. She continues to support American workers by protecting Unions and ensuring that the middle and lower classes are treated fairly under the tax code. Here are a few more reasons I’m voting for Hillary Clinton:

She understands the drivers of economic inequality and has a plan to fix it that goes beyond just breaking up the big banks and taxing the wealthy. Her plan also focuses on addressing the underlying long term social issues that drive income inequality, including racism, sexism and equal access to education and higher paying jobs.

She was the original architect of affordable healthcare and has been fighting for equal access to healthcare for over 20 years. As First Lady, Hillary worked with both Republicans and Democrats to create the Children’s Health Insurance Program that cut the uninsured rate of American children by half and today it provides healthcare to more than 8 million kids. Unlike other candidates, she will not dismantle the Affordable Healthcare Act. She will work to both expand and improve it while ensuring that we have a way to pay for it.

She stands up to the NRA, the gun lobby and Republicans who refuse to take any action to protect Americans from unprecedented and unnecessary gun violence. She is the only candidate who promises to embrace President Obama’s recent Executive Orders and take them further by working with Congress to both protect the Second Amendment and ensure better regulation of the purchase, ownership and carry of firearms.

She is the candidate with the most progressive record supporting women’s rights ranging from equal pay for equal work, funding for gender specific health research, access to reproductive healthcare and the right to choose. When, as First Lady, she visited China and boldly proclaimed that “women’s rights are human rights,” it was clear that Hillary Clinton would not be bullied by anyone.

She is an advocate for LGBTQ Americans and people around the world. As Secretary of State, Hillary made LGBTQ rights a focus of U.S. foreign policy. She lobbied for the first-ever U.N. Human Rights Council resolution on LGBTQ rights. Here at home, she made the State Department a better, fairer place for LGBT employees to work, including extension of same sex marriage benefits to all employees regardless of location (two years prior to the SCOTUS ruling on marriage equality). Her policies at the State Department became the blueprint for the Obama administration’s entire LGBTQ federal policy. Just as important, she opposes using “religious freedom” to justify discrimination.

SHE HAS THE DEMONSTRATED CAPABILITY TO WORK WITH LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEADERS. Her work with the Children’s Defense Fund, stewardship as both First Lady of Arkansas and First Lady of the United States and leadership a US Senator and US Secretary of State allow her to call on and work with leaders with whom she has had years of positive relationships. Hillary Clinton has also proven that she can successfully engage with the some of the most contentious leaders in the world, including those from Russia, North Korea, China and Iran. Clinton has demonstrated that she is a thoughtful, hardworking public servant who has earned the respect of leaders at home and abroad.

SHE DOESN’T REQUIRE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING: As the Des Moines Register said in their recent endorsement of Clinton: “ The presidency is not an entry-level position. Whomever is sworn into office must demonstrate not only a deep understanding of the issues facing America, but also possess the diplomatic skills that enable presidents to forge alliances to get things done.” Hillary Clinton — on day one — stands ready to take on the most demanding job in the world.

But my support support for Hillary Clinton is much more than past achievements, policy platforms and vision. It’s personal.

I first met Hillary Rodham Clinton when she spoke at the annual New York Human Rights Campaign dinner in 2000. She was the first sitting First Lady of the United States to speak to a gay rights group. As I listened to her speak of equality — not just for the LGBTQ community, but for women, African Americans and everyone displaced by social norms and government bureaucracy — I was moved to tears. Later that evening, when I spoke with her, I decided to volunteer for her New York US Senate run…and I did (twice).

A year later, I met Hillary Clinton again. This time in the wake of the 9/11 Terror Attacks. I, like so many New Yorkers, experienced first hand the all out assault on our city and nation. We were left dazed, confused and in need of leadership. Clinton was one of the first to arrive in the city, meet with victims and families and begin charting our path forward. She led the effort to make sure 9/11 first responders who suffered lasting health effects from their time at Ground Zero got the care they needed and families of the victims received financial and medical support long after the attacks. She also led the effort to secure financial relief for businesses — many of whom lost hundreds of employees in the attacks — as they struggled to get back on their feet.

My connection with Clinton has continued over the past decade. When she ran for President in 2008, I once again volunteered for her campaign. One of my most memorable encounters with Clinton occurred after her tenure as Secretary of State when she spoke to an HIV/AIDS advocacy group. Our conversation was brief, but it left an indelible imprint. During our conversation, I disclosed my HIV status and my previous work as an HIV/AIDS educator for MTV and my continued advocacy as a writer and proponent of HIV education, prevention and treatment. Hillary leaned in and said, “Thank you for having the courage to share your story with me and, more importantly, with others. It’s people like you who make a difference every day.”

The 2016 Iowa Caucuses are just one week away and my connection with Hillary Clinton is stronger than ever. I’ve been knocking on doors, making calls and will be a Precinct Captain for the first time. I’ve attended many events and have even had a few private moments with the former Secretary of State as she’s traveled across Iowa. At a Labor Day event in Cedar Rapids she smiled and waved as I approached. In the short time we stood together she hugged me and then whispered “I remember you. You’re the bald guy from New York who’s working for me in Iowa. Thank you.” We laughed, took a selfie and I yelled “I’m With You.” That’s how we roll in Iowa.

I’m often asked why I’m so passionate about politics. The answer is simple. This isn’t about politics. This is about how we treat each other and how we decide to move forward: all of us together or some of us alone while leaving others behind. This election is about selecting a leader who understands that progress not only requires a compelling vision of the future, but also a realistic path to get there.

I need someone who will be my champion…and yours. I’m working for HER so she can work for US. I’m fighting for HER because she fights for ME.

#ImWithHer…and I hope you are too.

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Ryan Siskow is a People Capability Consultant, Social Media Strategist and Author. He lives in Iowa City, Iowa but is ‘virtually’ everywhere.

Follow me on Twitter @ryansiskow.