About Emma Nemecek

Emma Nemecek and her husband, Terry, have been happily married for 16 years and live in Mount Vernon. Their family includes Emma's daughter Charlotte Gabito, two grandchildren, Ashley and Jeremiah, and Terry's children, Chad and Lisa. Emma is a small business owner and is president and CEO of Music 2 Link US Productions, Inc., in Mount Vernon. The company is engaged in talent management, production and bookings of musical shows and concerts. Emma has a B.S. in Management from Colegio de San Agustin in the Philippines.

Terry, a lifelong Linn County resident, owns Nemecek Electric and is the former electrical inspector for the City of Cedar Rapids.

Chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Republicans-Iowa Chapter, Emma also is president and co-founder of the All Nations Association and the former president of the Filipino American Association of Cedar Rapids. She is a member of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women, the National Rifle Association and the Professional Women's Network. (Please scroll down for a complete list of Emma's memberships.)

Emma believes it is more important to "do something" than to "be somebody" and she'll carry that philosophy to the Iowa House of Representatives. She promises to fight tirelessly to help Iowa's seniors, protect children from sex offenders, create smart energy policy that benefits Iowa farmers and industry, provide property tax relief and protect private property rights. "I want to give back to Iowa," asserts Emma. "That's what I mean by doing something. This is not about making a name for myself. It's about listening to your concerns. Responding to your needs. I'll do it every day on the campaign trail and every day as your representative."

Emma was born into poverty in Basilan City, Philippines, an area fraught with political and religious conflicts. The local population was largely Muslim and sympathetic to the terrorist group now known as the Abu Sayyaf.

The freedoms Americans enjoy were not known to Emma and her family, who feared physical violence when they practiced their Christian religion and attempted to follow their political beliefs. Emma's father - a relative of the late Benigno Aquino, husband of the former Philippine President Corazon Aquino - made the decision to send Emma and her mother away, to Manila, where it was safer. His intention was that after he made arrangements for the rest of the family to move, they would all join Emma and her mother.

"The day we left Basilan," Emma says, "was the last day my father ever saw me."

"I was then raised alone by my mother in very humble circumstances," she continues. "Eventually, due to the economic hardships, my mother moved to London and later to the United States. I then lived with my mother's brother's family."

In a short span of time, the dynamics of Emma's family life had changed drastically, from a home with both mother and father, to a single parent in a new city, to a new family with her aunt and uncle serving as guardians. But this was the beginning of a realization for Emma that transformed her outlook forever.

"I learned that what makes a family is not only biological parents and siblings, but all of those who provide love, guidance, and protection for loved ones. I believe that love is what defines a family, no matter who the people are or how, or if, they're related."

Emma experienced life without freedom of speech growing up under martial law during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. Later she lived in fear during terrorist bombings after Marcos' deposal.

Another tragedy in Emma's young life not only shaped her viewpoints as an adult; it changed everything.

"I was assaulted as a teenager and had to make a difficult personal decision. The hardships I experienced led me to the decision to keep my child, a choice I feel was the right one. Today, I deeply care for all human life, and am unequivocally pro-life.

"I was raised under the fundamental Christian belief to love and help one another, and I have learned not to make judgments of anyone. I give my time to help others as a volunteer and I care for senior citizens. I remain a positive person despite adversity, and I want to make every effort to be a positive influence on people.

"Marrying my husband is one of my greatest achievements in life. Having a house in the countryside and living peacefully, owning my small business, and enjoying our family, our animals, and most of all, our freedom, is a dream come true for me."

Emma believes strongly that the difficulties she experienced are not to be looked upon with sadness or regret, but rather as a learning experience. Through life's lessons and hardships, Emma has learned the value of staying focused on the positive, and tirelessly working for an even better tomorrow. Life for Filipinos in Manila today has improved, but still the Abu Sayyaf continues its reign of terror, kidnapping for ransom wealthy citizens to finance its violent activities.

Today, Emma is prepared and anxious to serve the people in her community, state, and the country she loves. "The United States, the State of Iowa, and the communities in Linn and Johnson counties have given so much to me; I want to give something back," Emma says.

Her resolve and determination have touched many, including Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tennessee, who, according to the Washington, D.C., blog "The Fix," was "inspired" by Emma's life story when they met in 2005.

"I believe in the basic principle that a representative of the people should represent the people," Emma asserts. "I am a person of independent thought, yet one who will listen to the people of my district and represent them honestly and get real work done. It's not important to 'be somebody.' I want to 'do something'."

Emma has been called the "hardest-working candidate" in Iowa and her door-knocking efforts no doubt have a lot to do with that. Emma gained a wealth of loyal support during her 2006 campaign when she knocked on 17,000 doors. She and her volunteers will "knock themselves out" during this campaign as well, she says. Emma will have yard signs throughout District 29, and will attend parades and fairs, speak at community events, conduct absentee ballot and new voter registration drives, and begin literature drops this summer.

"What drives this campaign is my passion for the values I believe in,'' Emma says. "What will ensure our success is our hard work, our willingness to always listen to constituents, and our commitment to respond to their needs. I look forward to meeting you and I ask for your support."

Following is a list of Emma's memberships and affiliations:

President and Co-Founder, All Nations Association

Chair, National Federation of Filipino American Republicans-Iowa Chapter

Past President, Filipino American Association of Cedar Rapids

Member, National Rifle Association

Member, Iowa Asian Alliance

Member, Professional Women's Network

Member, Mount Vernon/Lisbon League of Women Voters

Member, Iowa Federation of Republican Women

Member, Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.

Member, Scarlett O'Hatters

Member, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease

Vice President, Nemecek Electric, Inc.

Click here for a printable document about Emma.