Democrats Rally To Force Special Election In Scott County

Scott County Democrats are racing against the clock to trigger a special election for the county’s top election job.

The drive is in response to the Scott County Board of Supervisors voting to appoint Kerri Tompkins as the Scott County auditor without public discussion, comments from citizens or holding a special election.

Democratic leadership from around the state is engaging and mobilizing to raise awareness and herd support toward the drive.

On the national level, Reps. Dave Loebsack and Cindy Axne both voiced their support in a video and an email, respectively.

State leaders have also shown their support for the action.

Former congressional candidate Rita Hart tweeted about the petition.

Every vote matters and our County Auditors do important work to ensure that every vote counts.

Voters should choose this important position. Join @ScottCoDems as they petition to hold a special election so voters have a voice. #LetScottCountyVote https://t.co/OlJYEJ8i1V

— Rita Hart (@RitaHartIA) May 25, 2021

And today, State Sen. Zach Wahls will be on the ground with the Scott County Democrats to gather signatures for the petition.

Scott County Democrats have 14 days to collect 9,300 signatures from eligible voters in the county.

In late April, former Scott County Auditor Roxanna Moritz resigned from her position. To fill the position, two Republicans found a candidate and put her up for a vote without informing the other three members.

[inline-ad id=”1″]

The three Republicans on the five-member board voted for her, without any Democratic support.

Because of the importance of the role, the Scott County Democrats want voters in the county to have a chance to add their voices.

Tompkins is a former Davenport Alderwoman who served for six years, and Republicans on the board stressed her work ethic and qualifications. She has a master’s degree in social work and currently works as a business manager at MindFire Communications, an advertising agency in LeClaire.

If the special election doesn’t happen, Tompkins will serve until the general election Nov. 2022.

by Nikoel Hytrek
Posted 5/29/21

[inline-ad id=”4″]