Allamakee Democrats hold County Convention

submitted by the Allamakee Democratic Central Committee

The Allamakee Democratic County Convention was held Saturday, March 8 at Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank in Waukon. Delegates from all of Allamakee’s 11 voting precincts attended and congratulations for the excellent attendance was extended to the convention delegates by the Credentials Committee. Karen Pratte thanked the delegates for their generous donations to the Allamakee County Food Shelf in Waukon, the Allamakee County Relief Office and the Postville Food Pantry, saying this is one way Democrats put their values into practice.
State Representative Patti Ruff addressed the delegates and others present. Ruff reiterated her commitment to get things done for the people she represents and to do so in a bipartisan manner.  She praised the educational contributions of Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) and pointed out how NICC offers exceptional training to young and older students alike, who in turn strengthen Iowa’s businesses. The facts that funding for education and mental health are still not back to the level they were prior to the economic downturn remain concerns for Representative Ruff. Ruff encouraged people to contact her with their questions or concerns.
The convention delegates approved a platform, which is a list of values and actions supported by a political party. The platform concerning issues of national, state and local importance will be forwarded to the District Convention, and the approved platform from District Convention will be forwarded to the State Democratic Convention. The state-approved platform will then be forwarded to the National Democratic Convention. Approval of the platform at the county level is considered the first, grassroots input toward the party’s values and what the party would like to see action on.
Issues in the Allamakee County Democratic Platform that were  approved by the delegates included supporting an increase to the minimum wage to $10.10, increased funding for all Veterans Affairs Programs, and fully funding road and bridge repair. Delegates voiced their support for funding early childhood programs (Head Start and Early Head Start) and for solutions to the high cost of college and student debt such as increases to Pell Grants, loan forgiveness for community service, and lowering college tuition.  Support for alternative energy sources (wind and solar, including customer-owned distributed solar energy) passed unanimously, as did immigration reform and campaign finance reform.
George Blair, Katie Dodge and Karen Pratte were elected as delegates to the upcoming District Convention, which will be held in Vinton April 26. “Maintaining a strong, local Democratic Party is essential to supporting Democratic candidates who are fighting for the common good,” said Pratte.
There will be two contested state races in the June 3 Democratic Primary. In the First Congressional District of Iowa, Swati Dandekar, Anesa Kajtazovic, Pat Murphy, Dave O’Brien and Monica Vernon will be competing for Bruce Braley’s seat. Braley is the Democratic candidate running to fill the seat of retiring Senator Tom Harkin). The winner will face a Republican candidate in the General Election in November.  Members of the Dandekar and Vernon campaigns spoke at the Allamakee County Convention.
Paul Dahl and Jack Hatch are the Democratic candidates for governor. The winner of their Primary race will run against Terry Branstad in the General Election.
There are several state Democratic candidates who will be uncontested in the June primary. Patti Ruff is running for re-election in Iowa House of Representatives District 56. Sherri Taha is the Democratic candidate for Secretary of Agriculture who will run against Republican incumbent Bill Northey in the General Election. Brad Anderson is the Democratic candidate for Secretary of State. Jon Neiderbach is the Democratic candidate for State Auditor. Tom Miller is the current Attorney General and is seeking his ninth term.  Michael Fitzgerald is the current State Treasurer and is also seeking re-election.
Upcoming events for the Allamakee Democrats include the Allamakee Democratic Central Committee Meeting at Gus & Tony’s in Waukon Wednesday, March 26. Optional supper is at 5:30 p.m. and the business meeting is at 6:30 p.m. A representative from the Monica Vernon campaign will speak at this meeting.  Any registered Democrat is welcome to attend. For more information call 563-535-7254.