Patriots in the Park hold differing Republican ideals

WASHINGTON — Passionate and divided Republican voters met with candidates Tuesday in the square.

Despite the evening beginning with The Bontrager Family Singers performing Christian music selections, discord was prevalent at the event.

“I don’t care what anyone says, this is still a Christian county,” Taylor Bontrager said before the family sang “In God We Still Trust.”

The presence of candidates running for three contested offices added to the tension.

Jim Carlin rallied the more conservative Republican troops with his moment on the stage.

Washington resident Bill Monroe, who said he was mostly there for the food truck, was not one of those troops.

“Carlin doesn’t stand a chance,” Monroe said.

Carlin claimed that true conservative values are what protect people.

Upon Carlin’s calls to unseat his opponent Sen. Chuck Grassley, Washington County voter Tim Harder raised his voice above the crowd with dissatisfaction.

Harder wholeheartedly agreed with Carlin.

“[Grassley] was good, like, 30 years ago,” Harder said. “He’s been there too long. He needs to go.”

Heather Hora, a candidate for Iowa House District 92, nodded along with quiet exclamations of agreement, while Carlin spoke of conservative Republican ideals.

Hora agreed, as Carlin spoke about gun control in light of the Uvalde, Texas elementary school shooting.

“We don’t need gun control,” Carlin said. “The mental health aspect is what we need.”

The second half of Carlin’s sentiment appeared to bridge some of the divide as more people nodded along.

Overall, Hora felt the event went well and she enjoyed having conversations with Washington County voters.

“They’re all good conversations when you are with Republicans,” Hora said.

Washington Mayor Jaron Rosien, who also seeking the GOP nomination for Iowa House District 92, holds different opinions than Hora or Carlin, and does not hold to a restricted understanding of Republican ideals.

“I hope there is more room for a different kind of Republican,” Rosien said. “I’m thankful for comments from the Republican supervisor that mentioned that it is OK to have Republicans that don’t agree on every issue and that we should have room for them in the party.”

Supervisor incumbent Marcus Fedler spoke to the crowd prior to his opponent Bill Poch.

Fedler spoke of budget issues for the county and assured that he is always available to the public.

However, Fedler attends these events for more than an opportunity to take the stage.

“I come to find out what people are thinking,” Fedler said.

Poch, on the other hand, eagerly took to the stage to address constituents with a humor saturated commentary on county politics.

“What city or county is ever funded enough?” Poch said in response to Fedler.

“I don’t have all the facts. I’m from the outside looking in,” Poch said, despite speaking critically of current supervisors’ decisions and willingness to be readily available to the public.

“I won’t be available 24/7 like some others,” he said.

Overall, Poch did not have positive comments about the Patriots in the Park event due to a smaller turn out and his focus being on the smaller towns of Washington County.

“I don’t know how much this was put out to the public,” Poch said.

Not all of the contested races are as contentious.

Teresa Mangold and Dawn Fall-Hayes are running for the open position of county recorder.

Fall-Hayes was not present due to prior commitments.

Mangold kept her address from stage short.

In conversation, Mangold stated that she thought the race for county recorder would be a friendly one as neither candidate is an incumbent.

Without an incumbent, Mangold says she is simply running because she cares for the county and thinks she could do the job well.

She still found merit in attending the event.

“It’s good,” she said. “A little chilly, but we can’t control the weather.”

A number of unopposed candidates helped to balance tensions.

“I want people to know I am not taking it easy,” County Attorney John Gish said. “I still care about their vote.”

Similarly, Supervisor Richard Young intentionally comes to these meet and greets to hear what the community is thinking.

“I am open to anything you’d like to say,” Young said.

County Auditor Dan Widmer summed up why he prioritizes meeting with the public despite running unopposed.

“They let you know if you’re not doing a good job,” Widmer said.

Meet and greets give voters the opportunity to learn more about candidates and ask questions about the issues most important to themselves.

The more people in attendance at these events, the more opinions, questions, and concerns can be addressed.

Even those in opposition to candidates add value, because they help prevent the formation of echo chambers.

While tensions could be felt, the meet and greet was well received.

Every candidate expressed eagerness to participate in the forum the following day, and a majority were appreciative of those that came despite the chilly evening.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com