I’m izzi Caplan,

Hi, I’m Izzi (AKA Isabelle Caplan).

30 years ago, I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, moments before my twin sister was also born.

My family lived in Washington, D.C. and the Pacific island of Palau before settling in our home in Central MA.

We spent magical summers in Orleans at the home my grandparents built in the ‘70s — collecting hermit crabs at Skaket beach, cracking lobsters at the family table, and awing at fireflies at sunset — blissfully unaware of the growing issues the Cape Cod community faced.

During my college years at American University in D.C., my blissful bubble burst. It became clear to me that our trusted leaders and systems had not had our best interests in mind. In fact, they had been prioritizing profit over people and the planet.

After college, I moved back to Cape Cod for what I thought would be a temporary stay while I figured out my next career step. But instead, like so many of the people I’ve met on the Cape, I fell in love with the place and community. (And my now-husband Taiki).

I spent my first few years working at a public-access television station, where I met hundreds of community members who wanted to make their voices heard through local media. I worked with dozens of non-profits and other organizations working to combat the issues that challenge our community and so many others: housing, water quality, mental health & substance use, and more.

During this time, I also became an environmental advocate. I created a mini-documentary series about low-waste living, and I worked with environmental groups to reduce single-use plastics on the Cape. Advocating in front of town boards and meetings, I learned how much change one person can make in a community like ours.

In 2021, my husband started his own video production company, Big Tree, and hired me (and a few of our other video/film friends). Working closely with so many organizations and businesses across the Cape, it became clear that the issues of nearly 10 years ago have remained largely the same: there’s not enough housing that’s affordable to the average family; our aquifer is threatened by pollution, fertilizer, and poor wastewater infrastructure; and our tourist economy makes it difficult for folks to stay year-round. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. But our local representation have done little to combat these issues in a meaningful way.

Here’s where I come in. Frankly, I’m not super jazzed to be represented by people who care more about saving a few tax dollars than creating a sustainable year-round community.

I lost my mom, Valerie, to breast cancer last year. Her battle taught me, among other things, that tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us. So I’ve decided I’m not going to sit idly by while our environment and community suffer from the effects of decades of inaction.

I may not be the most politically-experienced person in the town of Barnstable. But I’m competent, passionate, and honestly don’t have much to lose.

So if my platform resonates with you, please consider voting for me for the Assembly of Delegates on November Xth.