Wondra launches write-in campaign

UNENGAGED

Ideally, I would like to win, but at the same time, if I don’t, they have to get engaged. There is so much going on. When I stepped in for Tom, I thought I knew what was going on, but oh my, did I not know.”

Tim Wondra, Lee County Supervisor

FORT MADISON – A familiar face is back in the hunt for the District 2 Supervisor race, and his campaign could shake things up in the final push to Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Current District 2 Supervisor Tim Wondra has announced a write-in campaign to hold onto his seat just 14 days before voters go to the polls.  Wondra was defeated by former supervisor and Fort Madison City Councilman Tom Schulz in the June primary on the Republican ticket.
Wondra said he’s not overly concerned about taking votes from Schulz and giving Greenwald a boost, because he’s closer to being an independent than the other two and the political divide is taking its toll on voters.
Schulz is on the ballot against Democrat Chris Greenwald, also a former Fort Madison City Councilman.
“I think it could be more of a three-way split. Tom is way more to the right than I am. I’m much more in the middle and almost more of an independent. And I’m not near as far left of center as Chris,” Wondra said.
Voters would need to fill in the “Write-In” oval on the ballots in the 2nd district in Fort Madison, and then write in the name “Tim Wondra”. Any misspellings, or write-ins without the oval filled in, or illegible writing could result in a voided ballot, so Wondra said they have to get it right.
“Spell it right. It’s not Dr. Wondra or Wandra, not Tom Wondra - just Tim Wondra,” he said.
But the effort isn’t funny. Wondra said there is too much at stake for the county, and Schulz and Greenwald haven’t been present even in the audience for the discussions.
I waited because I wanted to see the candidates attend the county’s weekly meetings, learn about the issues already before the county, and be prepared to get to work,” he said.
“The decisions supervisors make affect Lee County now and for years to come. We need representatives who are informed, engaged, and ready to help move the county forward from day one."
Moving forward includes discussions on the proposed Mesabi Metallics steel facility in Lee County, recent courthouse consolidation updates, high impact economic development ordinances.
The county is currently in negotiations with Mesabi Metallics around localized incentives, but those conversations are being held close to the chest by county and economic development officials.
Wondra said any incentives should be tied to benchmarks, like the state did with its MEGA incentive package. That should include natural gas supply enhancements to the county. He said the company should be tied into any costs for infrastructure requirements, and first responder demands.
Wondra also believes the county needs to continue to pursue a new bridge across the Mississippi River.
Wondra said a write-in campaign is typically a losing effort and he has measured optimism. But he said his vision for the county and his past work makes him viable even two weeks out.
“I’ve kinda gone back and forth a lot and have been thinking about it for a while. At first, I was just frustrated about not getting the vote in the primary,” he said.
“But I told myself I would still do a good job and finish strong. The more they kept not showing up, the more it gnawed at me.  People were pushing me, but I kept fighting back saying that write-ins  don’t work.”
He said his hope is that at least it gets the candidates and the voters engaged.
“Ideally, I would like to win, but at the same time, if I don’t, they have to get engaged. There is so much going on. When I stepped in for Tom I thought I knew what was going on, but oh my, did I not know.”