Now that campaign season is in full swing, Democratic candidates up and down the ballot need volunteers to GOTV every week from now until the election. Contact your county Democrats or local Iowa House or Senate candidate if you would like to help. There are many ways to volunteer, even if you don’t like making phone calls or knocking on strangers’ doors. You might have a friend or neighbor who needs an absentee ballot request form, or a ride to an early voting location.
Democratic candidates, please send me your public schedule so I can include your fundraisers or meet and greets on event calendars at this blog.
Paging Attorney General Tom Miller: any day now you might want to start campaigning for re-election. Miller’s campaign website is mostly empty and lists no upcoming events, though he is scheduled to be at the Johnson County Democrats Fall barbecue this Sunday. I don’t think Miller is seriously endangered, but Republican attorney general candidate Brenna Findley has raised a lot of money and is campaigning actively all over the state.
Saturday, September 25
The Polk County Democrats are doing GOTV from 10 am to 8 pm at the Ankeny Area Democrats field office, 107 North Ankeny Blvd. They especially need callers and drivers to chase absentee ballots that were mailed out on Thursday.
There’s a brunch fundraiser for Ruth Ann Gaines, Democratic candidate in Iowa House district 65 (Des Moines), from 9 am to 10:30 at the home of Maynard and Barb Boatwright, 2331 E. 39th Court.
Tom Hockensmith, Polk County supervisor in the third district, needs volunteers for canvassing and small yard signs. Meet at the campaign office at 2601 E Euclid for sign pick up between 8:30 – 9am. Canvass volunteers needed to door knock 10:00am – 2:00pm. Call 286-3661 to help.
Democratic candidates including Senate candidate Roxanne Conlin will participate in the Oktemberfest parade in Marshalltown, beginning at 10 am.
Conlin is holding an event for Grinnell area activists from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM at the Iowa Democratic Party HQ, 829 Main St in Grinnell.
Later, Conlin will attend the Henry County Democratic fundraiser from 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM at Museum B Midwest Old Threshers Reunion Grounds, 405 East Thresher Road in Mt. Pleasant.
State Senator Rich Olive (Senate district 5) is holding a free Ice Cream Social beginning at 2:30pm in Harrington Park, 15th St. & Lincoln Hwy. in Nevada.
Sheri Carnahan, Democratic candidate in Iowa House district 84, is holding a casual reception and fundraiser from 7:00pm – 9:00pm at Gunchies, 2905 Telegraph Rd. in Davenport.
KWWL in Waterloo invited Conlin and Senator Chuck Grassley to debate from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM at
Hawkeye Community College, 1501 E Orange Rd in Waterloo. Conlin accepted the invitation, but Grassley didn’t respond.
Sunday, September 26
The big event of the day is the Johnson County Democrats BBQ in Bulding C of the Johnson County Fairgrounds. Doors open at 3:30, Program at 4:00. BBQ pork, vegetarian lasagna, homemade desserts, silent auction featuring political memorabilia. For BBQ reservations available online at www.jcdems.org Or call 337-8683 (337-VOTE)
Featured speakers:
Governor Chet Culver
Representative Dave Loebsack
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Sue Dvorsky
State Attorney General Tom Miller
Secretary of State Michael Mauro
State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald
Secretary of Agriculture Candidate Francis Thicke
State Auditor Candidate Jon Murphy
Roxanne Conlin will hold an event for Democratic activists in the Ottumwa area from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM at the UFCW Hall, 1305 East Mary St. in Ottumwa.
State Senator Daryl Beall is holding a fundraiser at 4:00 pm at Moore Century Farm, 3247 280th Street (3 miles west of Somers). Featured guest: former Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson.
Congressman Leonard Boswell is holding a fundraiser from 3pm to 5pm at Toledo Heights Park, just north of Highway 30 at B St.
There’s a reception at a private home in Grinnell to support Roxanne Conlin’s campaign from 3 pm to 4:30 pm. To sponsor or RSVP, contact Jordan at 515-697-3729 or email rsvp@roxanneforiowa.com.
Another reception for Conlin will be held at a private home in Pleasant Hill from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM. For details or to RSVP, contact Jordan at 515-697-3729.
Monday, September 27
Governor Culver will hold a “Choosing a Better Iowa” event in Ft. Dodge at 5:30 pm. Location: Best Western, Starlight Room, 1518 3rd Ave NW.
Ft. Dodge.
Wednesday, September 29
First Lady Mari Culver will appear at a “Choosing a Better Iowa” event at 10:30 am at Fuel, 103 1st St. NE in Mt. Vernon.
At 12:45 the first lady will headline a similar event at the Myers Grill, 303 S. Highland St. in Williamsburg.
September 29 – Meet & Greet with Julie Haggerty and John Sarcone
Polk County Recorder Julie Haggerty and Polk County Attorney John Sarcone are holding a meet and greet from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Ankeny Area Democrats Office, 107 N. Ankeny Blvd., Suite 6 Hosted By: Gary & Stephanie Netolicky.
Thursday, September 30
Mari Culver is doing a “Choosing a Better Iowa” event at 9:00 am at the Copper Cow, 101 N. 1st St. in Winterset.
At noon she’ll appear at a similar event in the Cass County Democrats Headquarters, 511 Chestnut
Atlantic.
Polk County Supervisor Angela Connolly is holding a fundraiser at the Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave. in Des Moines. Pasta dinner. 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Suggested donation of $25.
Friday, October 1
The Sierra Club Iowa Chapter is holding its annual dinner in Des Moines. Cocktail cruise at 4:30, cash bar and social hour at 6:00, dinner at 7:00 followed by the keynote address from Michael Brune, the national Sierra Club’s new executive director. It’s at the Botanical Center, 909 Robert Ray Dr. For more information, visit www.iowa.sierraclub.org.
Saturday, October 2
State Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell is having a fundraiser from 7:00pm – 9:00pm at the home of Ginny Blackburn & Gloria Starns, 714 Brookridge in Ames. Keynote: Iowa House Speaker Pat Murphy.
The Raccoon River Watershed Association Board of Directors has invited all candidates who represent the citizens of the 4,000 square mile Raccoon River watershed to a gathering at the Hotel Pattee in Perry, Iowa, from 10 am to noon. The goal of the gathering is to candidates to speak to citizens and citizens to speak to candidates on issues of interest to the RRWA. So far Francis Thicke, candidate for Secretary of Agriculture, Representatives Donovan Olson and David Tjepkes and candidate for the Iowa House, Ruth Ann Gaines have agreed to attend.
Sunday, October 3
Roxanne Conlin has invited Senator Grassley to debate at the Museum of Art in Cedar Rapids. The debate will begin at 12:30 p.m. and will run 60 minutes. Doors open at 12:15 p.m. If Grassley doesn’t show up, this will be Conlin’s second “empty chair” debate.
Monday, October 4
There’s an East Des Moines Candidates Forum at 7:00pm. Supervisor Tom Hockensmith will participate in the forum at Hy-Vee Hall located at 2550 E. Euclid (next to Hy-Vee). The event is sponsored by the Northeast Neighbors’ Association.
Tuesday, October 5
Secretary of State Michael Mauro is holding his Annual Pasta Dinner from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 pm at the Blank Golf Course Clubhouse, SW 9th & County Line Road. Suggested Donation $20.00