Loebsack stresses getting people to the polls

By KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

Absentee ballots were on Dave Loebsack?s mind as he visited with voters and volunteers on Friday, Oct. 31, at the county Democratic Party Headquarters, in Mt. Pleasant.

After a friendly greeting and minor chit-chat about trick-or-treating, Loebsack got down to business, asking campaign volunteers how they felt about votes in the area; especially absentee votes.

?How are we doing in terms of getting the absentee (ballots) in,? he asked.

Loebsack was told, at this point, it was a matter of ?chasing down the ballots and making sure those votes got in.?

Loebsack is no stranger to this game as it?s now too late to mail ballots back in.

?I was actually in Davenport last night calling some folks myself, trying to get them to get their ballots back in,? he said with a smile.

Loebsack was in Mt. Pleasant as part of his ?Middle Class First? tour; a four-day tour that would take him to all 24 of the counties in the second district in 25 stops.

Loebsack has served as congressman for the 2nd district since 2007. Challenging Loebsack for the congressional seat is Mariannette Miller-Meeks.

Loebsack stated he planned to visit all 24 counties once more before election day on Tuesday.

?I know it?s not easy, especially in a mid-term, getting the votes out, but I think folks have worked really hard and we?re doing pretty well state-wide,? he said.

Bob Petrzelka, of Mt. Pleasant, said he?s more than happy to put in the time to help get Loebsack re-elected.

?I?ve been doing some canvasing and ballot follow-up,? Petrzelka said of his campaign involvement.

Petrzelka, who voted absentee this year, said early on, when he was canvasing, he talked to people about absentee voting. Now, he said he?s making phone calls to make sure those ballots get back in.

Pat Richenberger, of Mt. Pleasant, also came out Friday night in support of Loebsack.

?I think he makes a great congressman and represents the district well,? she said. Richenberger added she feels Loebsack is very personable and relates to his constituents well.

When asked about early voting, Richenberger said she is working at the polls on election day and will be waiting to cast her vote until then.

Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, and polls will be open from 7a.m. to 9 p.m.