Dan Byrnes nominated by Democrats for Allamakee County Supervisor ballot


Dan Byrnes

The Allamakee County Democrats reconvened their County Convention July 8, and delegates nominated Dan Byrnes of Waukon as the Democratic candidate for Allamakee County Supervisor. Byrnes will be on the ballot for November’s General Election in which two County Supervisor seats will be up for election.
Byrnes was born and raised in Allamakee County.  His parents, Leo and Mary Ellen (Walsh) Byrnes, were farmers noted for their award-winning Angus herd. After graduating from Waukon High School in 1979, Byrnes attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and earned a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture. The youngest of seven children, he returned to Allamakee County, purchased his own farm, and eventually took over the Byrnes family farm, which is a Century Farm located five miles southeast of Waukon in Jefferson Township.
In addition to farming, Byrnes works part-time as an insurance agent for GF Mutual Insurance Association in Waukon. He and his wife, Traci, who is a first grade teacher at West Elementary School in Waukon, have one daughter, Natalie, who is eight years old. As a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, Byrnes has been active in various church activities.
Byrnes has served Allamakee County as a Commissioner of the Soil and Water Conservation District.  First elected in 2002, he has been re-elected twice and has held the offices of treasurer and vice-president. He also won elections to serve on the Extension Council, which is the county governing body for the Cooperative Extension System that hires county staff, manages the county Extension budget, and helps determine programming.
In 2012, the Byrnes family was one of 67 families in the state of Iowa to be honored with the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award presented to them by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey at the Iowa State Fair. Byrnes currently serves as secretary/treasurer of the Equity Northeast Iowa Livestock Marketing Cooperative and is a member of the Northeast Iowa Forestry Advisory Council, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and Farm Bureau.
Speaking to delegates at the July 8 reconvened convention, Byrnes stated that his priorities for the county are public safety, roads and economic development. He says that, as Supervisor, he would listen to the needs of all constituents and be flexible and fair in addressing issues. Byrnes said, “I would strive to keep Allamakee County a great place to work, live and raise a family. It would be an honor to serve the citizens of Allamakee County as Supervisor.”