March 19, 2024

Jasper County Democrats are united

In politics, successful candidates are measured by their ability to inspire citizens to vote for them; to unify individuals into a community of support. Before the actual vote is taken, one way to measure this unity is through tangible factors such as letters of support (from locals, not out of town shills), donations (the number of local donations is even more important than the dollars) and declared support from centers of influence, such as labor unions and elected officials. On every count Wes Breckenridge has shown that he has unified local Democrats.

Wes has a nearly 14 to 1 lead in local contributors (only 15 local voters have contributed to Kelley, less than three per year of his reign). Wes has every local elected official that has declared support of a candidate on his side, every union that has declared support of a candidate on his side. Wes has secured enough funding to open a campaign office, consistently run advertising and has an army of workers. Kelley has little money, support or much more than a small, angry cadre of negativists to back his failed “attack, attack, attack” strategy.

So please don’t believe the obfuscation of angry Dan and Cindy the bully. The Jasper County Democratic Party is not only just fine, it is as united as it has ever been behind one of the best candidates in its history. Since Kelley traditionally receives far fewer votes than other local Democrats, we can all tell that the massive number of absentee ballots turned in so far (second most of any primary in the entire state of Iowa) point to the support Wes had engendered.

As Abraham Lincoln said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Kelley and his lackey failed this test long ago, engaging in the politics of alienation, with attacks on the local media, elected officials, fellow Democrats and anyone else who dared to question their inflated egos. Governing is thankfully about more than threats and picking up ballots.

Jasper County Democrats are united and excited to support a candidate who is eager to listen, learn and lead. We are united in this primary and will be in November as we proudly, overwhelmingly, send Wes Breckenridge to the Statehouse. Please join me June 7 as I vote Democratic, as I vote for Wes Breckenridge.

Dennis Combs

Newton