Convention Report:
Iowa's 3rd District

The 2004 District 3 Democratic Convention was held on April 24 at Johnston High School.  From the outset, controversy set the tone for the convention as the acting Convention Chair held by Jim Peterson (Edwards supporter) was challenged by Tom Fisher (Kerry supporter).  The controversy originated from the fact that Mr. Peterson announced himself as a candidate for a National Delegate.  A motion was passed to vote on the Convention Chair position and as a result, Tom Fisher was voted as the new Convention Chair.

Additionally, several Planks on the Platform with discrepancies were outlined with some being voted against and others passing as stated.  We were also able to secure two positions on the State Central Committee with Dean supporters, Betty Brim Hunter and Carl McPherson.

Citizen Whip was rolled out at the convention as well. You can check out their website at www.citizenwhip.com.

Furthermore, throughout the day, 'wheeling and dealing' commenced among Dean, Kerry, and Kucinich camps, with all vying for delegates to attend the National Convention.  As a result, the Kerry camp, by virtue of having more delegates attending the convention, managed to secure more National Delegates.  The Dean contingency was able to secure 1 male National delegate position through bargaining with the Kerry camp.  Our District 3 Dean delegate will be Dr. Alan Koslow, a long-time Dean supporter.

All in all, the 2004 District 3 Democratic Convention was a success as Democrats gathered together in a common goal of placing a Democrat in the White House in January, 2005.

Regards,

Colleen Jennings
Ernest Jennings
2004 Dean Delegates

Our thanks to Colleen Jennings and her husband, Ernest Jennings – who has just returned from Iraq – for this report.