Photo: from Scott County Democrats' Twitter
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″]
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Iowans and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at Iowa Starting Line has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Iowan families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.
Iowa Republicans make outlawing gay marriage key 2024 campaign priority
Iowa Republicans have made outlawing gay marriage a key goal in their 2024 party platform. During the Iowa GOP’s 2024 state convention on Saturday,...
Department of Justice says Iowa immigration law violates US Constitution
If Iowa doesn’t suspend the enforcement of its new immigration law by May 7, the state could face a federal lawsuit, according to the Des Moines...
Rushing: Iowa State president said the quiet part out loud
I want to thank Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen for doing us all a favor by finally saying the quiet part out loud: all the...
Iowa sets aside almost $180 million for year two of voucher program
Iowa has committed nearly $180 million in taxpayer funds to support private school tuition in the 2024-25 school year, which is almost $50 million...
Kalbach: Immediate action needed on corporate ag pollution
Iowa agriculture has undergone substantial changes over the past 40 years. We see it all around us. Rather than crops and livestock being raised on...
VIDEO: Jochum calls Gov. Reynolds’ summer meal program a ‘hunger game’
Iowa Gov. Reynolds announced a competitive $900,000 grant program to feed Iowa children over the summer, months after she declined $29 million in...
