The Northeast Iowa Tea Party is starting to grow its roots. Two Republican candidates asked us for assistance in campaigning for the June 5 primary. Ben Lange, candidate for Congressional District 1, and Mike Klimesh, candidate for Iowa House District 55. Since we believe that both these candidates are sincere in their beliefs in support of our three guiding principles and putting the betterment of America’s future first and foremost in their agenda, we actively supported them. Both of them won their primary races and we will now be putting our efforts forth in making sure they win the general election come November.
It was also decided in our May meeting that we would take the lead in providing a float for the various parades around Northeast Iowa this summer and that any candidates who support our principles would be welcome to put their campaign signs on it. Our first parade was Castalia Tractor Days on the 10 June and all went well. Darrel Branhagen brought his green tractor and trailer to the parade and Mike Klemish was there with about ten volunteers. We decorated it with banners, campaign signs, NEI Tea Party signs and two flags poles, one for an American flag and one for a Gadsden of course. It looked nice for our first float and we received many thumbs up from the crowd along the route. Hopefully as we get more people participating in our efforts, we will get more suggestion for improvements. I have already recieved one concerning an old school bell I have here on the ranch and will try to work it into the next float for Laura Ingals Wilder Days in Burr Oak Iowa on the 23-24 June. If anyone is interested in helping please contact me: e-mail is tomh501@yahoo.com; phone is (563)382-5406.
Darrel Branhagen has also taken the lead in creating a ”Winneshiek County Republicans” page on Facebook which I am told is pretty good and contains pictures of the recent parade float. That is all for now. Hope to see you at the next parade or at the next meeting which wil be the 26 June; 7:30 p.m. in the basement of Mabes Pizza in Decorah. With the assurance of my gratitude to all of you who have given your time to our cause and of my commitment to it—–Thomas Hansen