Dear Friends,
Here’s a link to Jefferson County’s June 2 Primary information:
http://www.jeffersoncountyiowa.com/elections.htm
An engaged progressive friend sent me this analysis of the Democratic
candidates.
Here is what I put together for the Democratic Primary Election, which ends
June 2nd:
Dear Jefferson County Voter:
Only two seats are contested in the Democratic primary election — nominations
for the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate and for the Jefferson County
Sheriff. This email contains information on those races.
NOTE: We will be voting my mail, which means that you must submit an absentee
ballot to the County Auditor by June 2nd. If you want to mail it in, do that
today. Otherwise, deliver it yourself to the Auditor at the County Courthouse.
Jefferson County Sheriff
Rob Nelson (Facebook
<https://eur06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FRobNelsonForJeffersonCountySheriff%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C664be96714e44e533f5208d7ff2d7ae7%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637258443103246612&sdata=uX8eaUAind0kuYfVm61L1rPG7KX0fQ7JgUqqattdZyw%3D&reserved=0>)
A 49 year old former union ironworker who currently operates Nelson Rebar
Inc., Rob says he’s running for Sheriff because “I was told that if I “didn’t
like the way the Sheriffs’ Department is being run, vote them out”. This is why
I will be on the June 2nd Primary Ballot.” Rob’s roots here go back to the
1850s. Rob has no experience working in law enforcement but expresses a
willingness to get the training if he’s elected. On his Facebook page, he
describes himself: “Being a loyal employee and of recent, a successful and
loyal business owner has adjusted my listening ability. I am approachable,
trustworthy and honest and will be available to listen to your concerns.” His
comment on the Sheriff’s Office makes clear his motivation for seeking the job
of Sheriff: “The Sheriff's department has let the people down for too long by
failing to properly investigate crimes, allowing the drug traffic to rise,
letting criminals off easy, and favoring those close to them.” He wants to
bring “new eyes” to the Sheriff’s Office.
Tracy Vance (no online presence as yet) In his 35 years of public service,
Tracy has served as a firefighter, a school board member, a county supervisor
and executive director of the Fort Madison and, subsequently, the Fairfield
Chambers of Commerce. He also served as the Executive Director of the Fairfield
Economic Development Association. He has been a Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff
for the past 6-½ years. Building on the Sheriff’s Office motto “Protect and
Serve,” Tracy says: “I believe law enforcement should interact with the
community. The JCSO should and can be a partner in the economic and social
wellbeing of our county by assuring our citizens’ safety and fair treatment.”
My Recommendation: I have to favor Tracy Vance for his experience in the
Sheriff’s Office and an impressive background in the economic and educational
life of Iowa communities. He knows how to take responsibility, to lead, to
listen and to act fairly and sensibly.
U.S. Senator
An excellent forum with the candidates for Senate from SW Iowa Democrats
(26-April-2020) is available here
<https://eur06.safelinks.protection.outlook..com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwatchparty%2F674475543328647%2F%3Fentry_source%3DGROUP_FEED&data=02%7C01%7C%7C664be96714e44e533f5208d7ff2d7ae7%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637258443103256603&sdata=OdSV%2FwshNBmwbdUTxGEaRsKV%2BgZdnhF%2BaAjcIaY5zF8%3D&reserved=0>.
There is another forum on Iowa Public Television. I believe that the info is
on the “Jefferson County Democrats — Iowa” Facebook page.
Michael Franken (Website
<https://eur06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffrankenforiowa.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C664be96714e44e533f5208d7ff2d7ae7%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637258443103256603&sdata=MOrw%2FxgcWTAqH%2FWEtCzWGGYdRRPfWhXcg3kKcpssKaM%3D&reserved=0>;
Facebook
<https://eur06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FFrankenforIowa%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C664be96714e44e533f5208d7ff2d7ae7%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637258443103266596&sdata=J6PotoGIyPBENDClpRWhAtcJp5Q7xMH1vgb90pcaphA%3D&reserved=0>)
Vice Admiral Franken points to “His rural upbringing, 37 years of military
service, and proven track record of distinguished leadership [to] make him the
Democrat to beat Joni Ernst.” His campaign emphasizes “Iowa needs someone in
Washington to make the right decisions, the many tough calls. We need a Senator
who knows how to address the climate crisis, to bring about affordable
healthcare, and take on special interests fueled by Wall Street greed. Now is
the time when Iowans need a U.S. Senator who will go against the grain in
Washington, not with shallow special interests, but for what’s right for Iowa’s
bright future.” He says of Joni Ernst: “Her voting record screams special
interests.” He assures voters that he will not do the bidding of special
interests, especially of the petroleum industry. “Years of military service in
Washington, DC, taught Mike how government should work.. He began working in
think tanks, then served as the first military officer on Senator Ted Kennedy’s
staff. In a variety of postings, he worked on highly technical matters, oversaw
infrastructure and environmental compliance issues, and drafted budgets. He
spent years in senior policy making, strategy, and planning roles for the
Defense Department. As chief of legislative affairs for the Navy, he oversaw
the authorization of a $150 billion budget. He retired from military service as
a three-star admiral in 2017..” Mike opposes Medicare for All but would put a
Medicare option on the health insurance exchange of an expanded Affordable Care
Act program. He consistently refers to climate change (global warming) as the
greatest existential threat of our times. He favors fairer tax policies, Social
Security, actively advocating for women’s right to choose, rebuilding
infrastructure, expanding rural high-speed internet access, common-sense
solutions to lessen gun violence, immediate reform of immigration policies, and
he proposes an Expanded National Service Program to give youth clear paths to
successful careers.
Kimberly Graham (Website
<https://eur06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kimberlyforiowa.com%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C664be96714e44e533f5208d7ff2d7ae7%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637258443103266596&sdata=dvBxSjAC9%2FiTn6Gp0JYpYMUzkDaw3cdgJ0SN0ElzDe8%3D&reserved=0>;
Facebook
<https://eur06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fkimberlyforiowa%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C664be96714e44e533f5208d7ff2d7ae7%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637258443103276591&sdata=6Q58ksQPAEBtyBlhGEFnX1YsjAVCdO3nY%2FFzUClrS7M%3D&reserved=0>)
Kimberly is the true bold progressive in this Senate race. She’s the only
candidate who unequivocally supports Medicare for All.. The list of issues on
her website is comprehensive (22 areas discussed), positive and powerful,
encompassing everything from Agriculture through Women’s Rights (they’re in
alphabetical order). She connects deeply with people when meeting with them in
person and now on social media. She’s doing Facebook events almost daily.
Theresa Greenfield (Website
<https://eur06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgreenfieldforiowa.com%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C664be96714e44e533f5208d7ff2d7ae7%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637258443103276591&sdata=UQ%2B%2FJTwPd37hdjZPOrpQDCHfHwzfNSkGH9SJVBe8Zhc%3D&reserved=0>;
Facebook
<https://eur06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGreenfieldForIowa%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C664be96714e44e533f5208d7ff2d7ae7%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637258443103286586&sdata=xly%2F4UyTEjEePhEL1jRh1dp38%2FS8RZCoCZ%2BTW4a7IZk%3D&reserved=0>)
Theresa takes conventional Democratic positions on the issues (she discusses
twelve areas on her website). She favors expanding the Affordable Care Act and
providing a Medicare option. She discusses gun violence control along with the
opioid epidemic under Public Safety, and without specifically addressing
“assault-style” weapons. She’s received many endorsements from conventional
Democrats and funding from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Eddie J. Mauro (Website
<https://eur06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Feddiemauro.com%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C664be96714e44e533f5208d7ff2d7ae7%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637258443103286586&sdata=2OP9SlFUNeDyJpEOSFZV0tS0XiMA9pMJdoRh%2Fzb6NOc%3D&reserved=0>;
Facebook
<https://eur06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Feddiejmauro%2F%3Fref%3Dbr_tf&data=02%7C01%7C%7C664be96714e44e533f5208d7ff2d7ae7%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637258443103286586&sdata=P%2BEngILxXFYlDldMV%2BZvZaSOkgK2PGoJ%2FGFSGZbT208%3D&reserved=0>)
Eddie says: “This election is more than defeating Joni Ernst. It’s getting
back to listening to Iowans, solving problems and giving Iowans a seat at the
table - not just the establishment and special interests. Eddie is running for
U.S. Senate to tackle big issues. He hears you and he will be a Senator for
every Iowan.” He discusses issues under twelve headings, including “Pandemic
Response” (without specific details). Moving his campaign to social media, he
does frequent Facebook events.
Cal Woods (Facebook
<https://eur06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcalforiowa%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7C664be96714e44e533f5208d7ff2d7ae7%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637258443103296572&sdata=i2d0N2NcOp9tjZjZv9vcxsT3dikH5BULf3GcoVZKs3M%3D&reserved=0>)
Cal has officially dropped out of the race but his name remains on the ballot.
My Recommendation: We have an excellent group running for U.S. Senator to
replace Trumpette Joni Ernst. I favor Kimberly Graham because she is the only
candidate to stand strong for Medicare for All and not capitulate to the health
care industry. She knows that we must end employer-based health insurance and
adopt what every other developed nation has adopted: universal, comprehensive,
single-payer, government-sponsored health insurance. She also speaks to a
comprehensive set of issues in person and on her website. She is very
personable and a true representative of and for the people of Iowa.
NOTE:
Rita Hart is unopposed for the Democratic nomination for Iowa’s 2nd
Congressional District. (Incumbent Dave Loebsack is retiring.)
Phil Miller is unopposed for the Democratic nomination for Iowa’s 84th House
District.
Susie Drish is unopposed for the Democratic nomination for Jefferson County
Board of Supervisors.
My Comment: Please show support for these candidates by voting for them now and
in the general election on November 3rd.
Stay safe and well,
