By Mary Weaver
PRO Iowa 24, Progressive Rural Optimists is a representative group from the five counties in south and western central Iowa. The counties include Guthrie, Greene, Boone, with portions of northern Dallas County, and western Story County.
The initial group came together in March of 2023, but morphed into a Political Action Committee in June. The registering of the PAC is time consuming and requires diligence. It is not impossible, and assistance is available at ethics.iowa.gov.
A MISSION STATEMENT was developed: THE PROGRESIVE RURAL OPTIMISTS OF SENATE DISTRICT 24 AND HOUSE DISTRICTS 47 AND 48 WILL GENERATE CANDIDATE FUNDS, DEVELOP PROGRESSIVE RURAL MESSAGING, AND SEEK CANDIDATES WHO WILL WIN ELECTIONS.
The logo was designed with the assistance of a professional. Following input from the entire representative board, a final logo decision was selected by a three-person committee. See selected logo at the end of the document.
The impetus for the PAC formation was to identify candidates that will value and proclaim rural messages. A desirable candidate will also be available to their constituents at in person community gatherings, or respond to written letters, e mails, texts, or phone calls.
An initial fund-raising letter was sent via email to Democrats living in the counties. This generated slightly north of 1000 dollars.
The five county representatives exhibited passion and enthusiasm, and soon additional persons were seeking to join. Currently there are 11 members. Sub committees have been developed. They are focusing on messaging, candidate recruitment, and financial solicitation.
The messaging committee has grown from slogans to writing letters to the editor. They are developing periodic uniform letters that will be signed by the individual County Chair(s), followed by PRO Iowa 24 typed below their signature. The first letter focuses on the need for public dollars to remain in public schools and will be submitted to every paper within the geographic 5 county area.
A website, explaining who we are, with Board members names, pictures, and their representative County is also being planned.
The Candidate Recruitment subcommittee has 3 representatives from each county. The Board member, plus two others. This group will review the geographic center, the population center, and any ethnic diversity groups that could be considered a voting bloc of the Senate District. The brainstorming will be to identify candidates that will be successful. The thinking is, who in the community would be considered a leader, and for example, be able to solicit funds for a new fire truck. Having a primary election with several candidates is not opposed. Primary elections serve to generate enthusiasm, assist the candidate to sharpen their stump speech regarding policy values, and in general develop campaign organization.
The third subcommittee, financial solicitation, is developing another fundraising request letter. A plated meal fundraiser will be held in the center of the district. The featured speaker will be Laura Belin of BLEEDING HEARTLAND, on November 9 at 5 30 P.M. at the Grand Junction Community Center.
The goal is to have 2000 dollars for each of the two-house candidates and one senate candidate following the primary election.
This information is being shared so that others may consider forming a PAC to assist candidates financially. Candidates need financial assistance. The campaign cost for a HOUSE seat may run between $75,000-$100,000. This site will continue to appraise other Democrats of the progress of PRO Iowa 24.