Siouxland’s political season line up, Indianola

This week Iowa became one of many states that allows early voting before an election. The mid-term 2014 election is mostly local and state candidates, although there is always Congressional districts that sometimes become of interest nationally. This year there is again a race between Iowa’s fourth district Congr. Steve King (R-Iowa) who often times says outlandish things, creates tension with his remarks, but is never seen trying to work out a solution. He is a flash point both in Iowa politics between Republicans and Democrats and nationally, a darling for the Tea Party and conservative talk show hosts.

Then there is the open seat that retiring U.S. Sen.Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) is leaving and there is a contentious battle between the Republican party and the Democratic party. I attended for the first time, and probably last time, the Tom Harkin Steak Fry held in his home town of Indianola, Iowa. I say the last time because with his retirement, the steak fry event will probably cease. This year’s special guests included all of the the state and national Democratic candidates running for office, as well as Pres. Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. With these two attending, one knew that the political season is underway in no small order and with the Nov. 4, 2014 election just around the corner, one knew the 2016 presidential election is not far off, even with a couple of intervening years. One can only wait and see what transpires between this upcoming mid-term election and the next presidential election when the candidate field could be wide open.

Siouxland, first in the nation Iowa caucus, Sioux City

Iowa political parties, mainly Democrats and Republicans, exercised their first in the nation status this past week by holding caucuses to prepare for upcoming elections, Congressional as well as statehouse. I attended the Woodbury County Democratic caucus held at a local middle school. Roughly 70 plus die-hard party members attended to began planning for the upcoming 2014 elections. I read online that local media said roughly twice as many Republicans attended their caucuses for Woodbury County. Attending these caucuses can sometimes be insightful, but mostly whether ‘blue” or “red”, the people participating are passionate about their politics. You sometimes wished they would keep their vitriolic temperaments to themselves and work at trying to better themselves and their fellow citizens. Beyond the partisanship, this is grassroots politics at its best. The one thing noticeable about the Democratic caucus, and probably the Republican as well in Iowa, is that attending minorities are in short supply. But then again, it was a bitterly cold January Tuesday evening, and most  other people were snug in their homes, watching television.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa