SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
June 7, 2018
Sullivan’s Salvos 6/12/18
In this edition:
*Election Results
*Winners and Losers
*Makers and Takers
*Pride
*Did You Know?
*Election Results
The 2018 Primaries are in the books! As usual, the Johnson County Auditor’s Office did a great job of running our elections. On to November!
We blew through every record for turnout! The old Democratic record was from 2006; the overall record was the 1994 Grandy run at Branstad. Tuesday surpassed both, with a record 18,664 Johnson County voters going to the polls.
On the GOP side, there was only one contested race, but it was a big one! The competition for the Republican Nomination for Secretary of Agriculture contained some real heavy hitters. When the dust cleared, acting Secretary Mike Naig won handily in a 5-way race. (This caught me a bit off guard, as I thought the more “political” candidates might fare a bit better.) Thing is, Naig fell just under one percent short of the required 35% threshold. This means Iowa Republicans will select their Ag Secretary nominee at their State Convention. The winner takes on Tim Gannon, who ran unopposed on the Democratic side.
At the top of the Democratic ticket, Fred Hubbell coasted to a win in the Gubernatorial Primary. I was not necessarily surprised Hubbell won, but his margin (including here in Johnson County) surprised me. Hubbell wasn’t my guy to start – but he is my guy now!
A cool thing happened … Deidra DeJear becomes the first African American to get a statewide nomination in Iowa! She will take on Secretary of State Paul Pate in the fall. Similarly, Abby Finkenauer won the Primary in Iowa’s First Congressional District – if she can win in the fall, the 29-year-old Finkenauer would be the youngest Congresswoman in history!
In Senate District 37, the race to replace retiring Senator Bob Dvorsky, Zach Wahls defeated Janice Weiner 63-32. Eric Dirth and Imad Youssef each collected about 2% of the vote. This race was interesting, because I was sensing some real momentum on the Weiner side, but the outcome really wasn’t close. Two great candidates with bright futures here.
In the County Supervisor race, Incumbents Janelle Rettig and Mike Carberry had different results. Rettig led the pack with 10,822 votes. Second-time candidate Pat Heiden finished second with 9,116. They become the two Democratic nominees. That leaves Carberry out after finishing third with 6,927 votes. Mike will continue to serve until January 1 of 2019, at which time the November General Election winners will be seated.
Incumbent Supervisors lose on occasion; Don Sehr, Mike Lehman, and John Etheridge come to mind. Mike Carberry has been an important progressive voice on this Board. He has helped us to do some very good things. I appreciate his service.
As always, thanks to everyone who ran for office. It is not easy to put oneself out there in this way. I sincerely appreciate your efforts and your sacrifices.
*Winners and Losers
I have been involved in politics a long time. Over the years I have enjoyed a few Primary wins, and suffered many more Primary losses. Having been on both sides, I feel as though I can offer some advice to both the winners and losers.
June 5 was a Primary. That means each person who voted needs the others. All sides have a lot to gain, and all have a lot to lose. Getting together is critical.
So how do we do this? We have to speak to each other. Undoubtedly, someone on your side said something rude and stupid. If so, apologize for it. Undoubtedly, someone on the other side said something rude and stupid. Try to let it go. If you simply can’t let it go, talk to someone about it. Then let it go! J
In my opinion, it really is most incumbent upon the winners to set the tone. After all, they won! Winners need to reach out to the rest of the field and their supporters and ask for their help. They also need to be receptive to the concerns and suggestions of their former rivals. Winners need to be open to listening and improving.
It hurts when your candidate loses. Each person comes around at her/his own pace. Nothing says you need to jump onboard Election Night. You deserve time to grieve. But hopefully you DO come around! We all need each other! It is certainly acceptable for those of us who did not win to continue to push the winner toward our way of thinking. You can and should always advocate for the things you believe. But you also may have to accept the fact that you and your new candidate disagree on some things. That is OK. You probably agree on more things than the folks in the other party.
We can do this, folks. We MUST do this! I hope you will join me!
*Makers and Takers
Many business owners are serving an important role as employers. The jobs they provide allow other people to earn money and serve as full members of the community. I am always a bit surprised that so many of these good business owners sit back while other business owners cost them money.
You heard me correctly – the other business owners cost them money. Business owners who pay good wages are forced to subsidize these businesses, every single year, day after day. Is this fair?
I like to use the “makers and takers” language popularized by Paul Ryan and used by the GOP. When you pay employees a living wage, you are a maker. When you pay less, you are requiring all the rest of the taxpayers to subsidize your business. You are a taker. Your business model requires governmental subsidies.
If you own a business and your employees qualify for food stamps? If you own a business and your employees qualify for Medicaid? If you own a business and your employees qualify for Section 8 housing? If you own a business and your employees’ children qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch? Guess what? You are a TAKER!
The minimum wage was $1.60 in 1968. If it had kept up with inflation, it would be $11.71 today. 24% of all Iowans earn less than this, adjusted for inflation.
Thanks to all the many business owners who create a good life for their employees WITHOUT relying on the government!
*Pride
June is Pride Month, and IC Pride has a variety of great events for people of all ages. As usual, I will be marching in the Pride Parade, beginning at noon on Saturday, June 16. For a complete listing of events, see: https://www.iowacitypride.org.
*DID YOU KNOW? The most candidates for the office of County Supervisor was 10 in 1976 – the year the Board expanded from 3 to 5 members. There were 7 candidates in both 1992 and 2004. (I finished third of seven in 2004.)
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.
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---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 4:12 PM
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