(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Democratic Party held a ribbon cutting ceremony
on Wednesday afternoon to officially open their offices located at 115 Plymouth
Street southwest. More than a dozen people attended the ceremony. Following the
ribbon cutting, refreshments and snacks were served to the attendees and volunteers.
Plymouth County Democrat Party chairman, Mark Sturgeon cuts the ribbon to officially open the Plymouth County Democratic headquarters offices located at 115 Plymouth Street SW. Sturgeon is surrounded by members and volunteers of the Plymouth County Democratic Party.
This year’s local election has only one contested race, which is for the position of state
representative representing District 5. District 5 covers Plymouth County with
the exception of the eastern townships that border Cherokee County. It also
covers much of northern Woodbury County from Lawton to Correctionville.
Republican Chuck Holz, a retired veterinarian, is the incumbent after taking over
the legislative duties when long-time representative Chuck Soderberg moved from
the area and had accepted an executive position with the Iowa Rural Electric
Cooperatives. Holz is being challenged by Democrat Pat Ritz of Akron, a farmer
and farm equipment sales and service dealer. KLEM radio recently spoke with the
Democratic candidate. Ritz says he decided to run for the state law maker
position after visiting with county party leaders.
Ritz says he informed his party colleagues that he would not necessarily always
follow the party’s position. In fact, Ritz says, when it comes to abortion,
unlike the Democratic platform position that favors Pro-choice, he strongly
advocates a Pro-life position.
The Akron farmer says he is always interested in helping others, and says he wants
to work with other people, and not against them. He describes himself as a
“people person”.
Ritz says he has been studying the issues, and admits that he doesn’t have a pre-
determined agenda. However, he says he would like to see the Iowa Department of
Transportation reverse its decision of closing the D-O-T maintenance garage
located in Akron.
Ritz says he is also concerned about small businesses being able to continue to
provide health insurance coverage for their employees, as costs continue to climb.
