Dems spar over Nieland in heated financial vote

Jasper County Democratic Party members remain torn over whether or not to support Dan Nieland, their candidate for Iowa Senate District 15. In a heated meeting Wednesday night, members of the central committee voted 11-6 to not ask Nieland to return $11,500 in campaign donations after he failed to disclose his wife’s indictment for social security fraud.

On Sept. 14, a federal grand jury charged 47-year-old Altoona woman Leesa Marie Parkhill-Nieland with Social Security fraud.

According to federal prosecutors, Parkhill-Nieland allegedly received Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits from about December 2012 until about April 2018. The indictment states, during this time Parkhill-Nieland was self-employed through two different businesses, Pine Hollow Stables — a business she operated with her husband Dan Nieland — and Coat of Many Colors. The federal government claims Parkhill-Nieland concealed and failed to disclose that employment from the Social Security Administration in order to continue to receive payments.

Nieland told party members he didn’t disclose the information because he believed the information wouldn’t come out during the campaign

On Wednesday, infighting ensued over how the party should move forward in light of the allegations against Parkhill-Nieland. In a recording of the meeting obtained by the Newton Daily News, State Rep. Wes Breckenridge, D-Newton, opened the night by urging members of the party to settle the issue internally and focus on the upcoming November elections.

“We may be riding on a blue wave or a blue ripple, and the last thing we need to do is set Jasper County aside and say ‘we’re dysfunctional,’” Breckenridge said. “We’re not dysfunctional. We stay on the same team, we stay unified and we work hard. We may see things differently, but we stay together. Respect other people’s position. Keep it in-house and keep it internal.”

Breckenridge’s attempt to keep the peace didn’t last long, however. Central committee member Jerry Jones said he’s already seen plenty of division within the party. Before the committee voted, Jones vented his frustrations.

“I do want to say one thing. We’ve already had some division. We’ve already had somebody spewing what their thoughts were on this race,” Jones said.

Jasper County Democratic Party Chair Michelle Smith cut him off, telling Jones, “I understand that, but we’re going to move forward now.”

Jones shot back, reminding Smith he had the floor.

“We already have this division, and we need to stop that. It’s already out there,” Jones said. “We’re already becoming a laughingstock. It’s right out there in public. It needs to stop. I don’t want to finger point. I’m not going to name names (but) the people who know what they’re doing know who they are. Stop. Stop, stop stop.”

Democratic party precinct chair Doug Garrett of Colfax, took the floor next. After listening to Nieland tell party members on Monday he opted not to disclose his wife’s indictment because the candidate felt the news wouldn’t be released, Garrett said he is uncomfortable with continuing to support Nieland.

To Garrett, whether or not Parkhill-Nieland is guilty or innocent isn’t the issue. He was upset Nieland failed to disclose the information to party members during the vetting process. Garrett argued, had Jasper County precinct chairs had the information, it might have changed the overall nomination vote in August.

“I was here Monday, and I was sympathetic to (Nieland’s) plea. But at the same time, it’s not a matter of what his wife did or didn’t do,” Garrett said. “It’s a matter of what he did or didn’t do. (Nieland) made a conscious decision not to share information that was pertinent to a vote. ... That’s not someone I want representing me. I’m sorry.

“There’s so much B.S going on in the world of politics. At some point, you have to draw a line in the sand and decide what’s right,” Garrett continued. “I don’t want Zach Nunn to win, I don’t want Republicans to maintain control of the Senate in Iowa, but I don’t want Jasper County Democrats to look foolish as well.”

Garrett wasn’t alone in his discomfort supporting Nieland. Cindy Pollard, a Democratic Party volunteer, echoed his views, telling the assembled crowd she felt Nieland ought to return the money, as well. Since news of the indictment broke last week, Pollard said she’s heard plenty of negativity from local residents. The indictment is a “black eye” on the party, Pollard said. She feels Democrats needed to do the right thing and ask for the money back.

“People are watching what we do here tonight. They’re watching us. ... I blame a lot of people in this room for bringing forth Dan Nieland when we already had a candidate,” Pollard said, referencing Southeast Polk School Board member Lori Slings, who ran in both special elections, only to lose first to Taylor Van De Krol then again to Nieland.

Jones interjected, telling Pollard, ​“We didn’t have a candidate. We had somebody running, Cindy. She was not elected at that point, so do not say she was the candidate.”

Following the exchange between Jones and Pollard, Smith rung a bell to call the meeting to order to allow central committee members to place their votes. Smith’s attempt to restore order only resulted in further bedlam, with Pollard and Jones trading insults.

“We’re going to call for this vote, this is not what this meeting is about,” Smith said.

As the votes where being collected, Jones interjected again, telling Pollard, “this is not your party.”

“This is not your party. This is our party,” Pollard shot back.

Jones said, “It’s all of our party, but I’m not the one out there talking about how we’re going to lose and talking crap behind people’s back.”

Following that exchange, the tension grew further, with Jones and Pollard arguing back and forth.

“You know what Jerry, do the right thing, do the right thing, be honest, be honest,” Pollard said. “... You hate gay people and you’re misogynistic.”

Jones angrily refuted Pollard’s charges, reminding her of the years he had been volunteering with the Democratic Party in Jasper County.

“Let’s put it this way, I supported Taylor (Van De Krol). I worked my (expletive) off for Hillary Clinton in 2008 and 2016. I was a delegate to the district, county and state convention for Hillary Clinton. Don’t you dare call me a (expletive) misogynist or a sexist,” Jones said.

Jones did not respond to several requests from the Newton Daily News for comment Thursday.

Following his outburst, Jones apologized to the assembled party members. The central committee members completed the vote shortly afterward, opting not to ask Nieland to return the campaign donations.

Despite the internal strife on display Wednesday, Smith said the party plans to move forward with Nieland as their candidate.

“You can’t control what individuals will say or do, but as far as the party we are behind our candidate,” Smith said. “Yeah, I mean that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to knock doors and make calls and do what we do, and get our name out for our candidate, and support them and go forward.”

Smith said she will wait to see how Parkhill-Nieland’s court case plays out before passing judgment, but for now, Nieland is the party’s candidate and party members plan to focus on their goal of retaining the Senate seat.

“He’s still our candidate. He hasn’t been accused of a crime. His wife has,” Smith said. “I do truly believe in our system, you are innocent until proven guilty and people should be given the benefit of the doubt.”

Moving forward

While Breckenridge said he will continue to aid Nieland, he’s choosing to focus on his own race. With “crunch time” coming up quickly, Breckenridge said he’s told Nieland his door is always open if Nieland needs advice. In a phone interview Thursday, Breckenridge said he’s been busy finalizing his campaign strategy in preparation for a sprint to the finish line.

“Dan (Nieland) is on the ballot. He’s got to focus on his election, and I’ve got to focus on my election,” Breckenridge said. “I’m sure that our campaigns will cross paths.”

Although Breckenridge refused to criticize Nieland for failing to disclose his wife’s legal issues to the Jasper County Democratic Party, he noted if faced with the same issue, he would have acted differently.

“You know, Dan’s (Nieland) got to make the decisions he makes dealing with situations like this. I would have disclosed any potential issues prior to throwing my name into the hat,” Breckenridge said. “I think the thing we need to look at, the situation is that Dan (Nieland) has not been charged with anything, people are innocent until proven guilty.”

For Pollard, the path forward is murkier. She’s removed the Nieland yard sign from her front yard, and she said several other party members have done the same thing. As one of the Jasper County Democratic Party’s top doorknockers, she feels conflicted. After news of the indictment broke over the weekend, Pollard said door-knocking volunteers were told by the party chair not to take Nieland’s literature, and if possible, avoid talking about the candidate when they encountered voters.

“Try not to talk about it, try to steer the conversation around to other candidates,” Pollard said.

In a telephone interview Thursday night, Smith confirmed she made the decision to keep volunteers from taking Nieland’s signs or campaign literature over the weekend. If volunteers choose not to support Nieland, Smith said they’re allowed to avoid discussing the candidate during their visits with voters and door knockers have been instructed to give voters, Nieland’s phone number to contact him directly.

“What we spoke about was, obviously, if a volunteer is not comfortable taking literature to a house or when making phone calls discussing Dan, we’re not going to make them discuss him,” Smith said.

Pollard said that isn’t good enough for her. Even though she plans to vote a straight Democratic ticket in the November elections, she has no plans to stump for Nieland.

“I probably won’t. I mean, really, to do the right thing, I shouldn’t,” Pollard said.

Contact David Dolmage at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or ddolmage@newtondailynews.com