March 28, 2024

Local candidates emphasize the importance of county, state election

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A pie auction to raise money for local candidates as the nation focuses its attention on the Nov. 8 election won’t make the same headlines as the star power at the top of the Democratic and Republican tickets.

But local candidates made a stop at The Meeting Place Saturday night to help raise money for the Puppy Jake Foundation and help encourage voters to get to the polls to support all levels of government.

“This is a way the grassroots people can honestly have a voice with the dollars that they put into it, have a voice in the election process,” said Iowa State Senator Amy Sinclair, R-District 14.

On presidential election years, the attention gets drawn away from local government, but Sinclair said local events to support candidates and having quality names on the ballot for local government is an important step in the political process.

“I am such an advocate for local government; I started political life as a county supervisor,” Sinclair said. “Local government is the government they come into the most contact with, and so to have good, solid people who share your values at that local level, to me, is more important even than the state or certainly the national level.”

Dr. Christopher Peters is using the final month to extend his recognition as he looks to challenge incumbent U.S. Congressman Dave Loebsack, D-District 2.

“It is a ground game from here on out and we really have been that from the very beginning,” Peters said. “We are running a less conventional campaign, but it is an old-timey campaign, so getting to local events, door knocking and phone calling is critical.”

Peters entered the race in March. The stop in Osceola marked his 23rd county visited in the 24-county district. He plans to reach all 24 and revisit as many as possible before the election.

“I think people enjoy meeting the candidate ... or their family, or volunteers going out and knocking on their behalf; they feel that is a little more real and something more tangible they can relate to,” Peters said.

All the candidates echoed to not let the national race discourage individuals from voting, as the neglect to vote carries implications well beyond who the next president will be.

“We have tons of great local candidates and we want to make sure people get out and support those local candidates,” said Iowa State Representative Joel Fry, R-District 27. “If we are not out and engaged in those elections, we are missing the boat on those who govern closest to us and have the greatest impact and influence.”