August 27, 2024
Request for Absentee Ballot starts.
Contact your County Auditor
Election Information
October 16, 2024
Early Voting Begins
October 21, 2024
Deadline to register to vote.
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RETURNING YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT:
Absentee ballots received in the county auditor's office by the time the polls close on election day are eligible for countying.
ELECTION DAY:
NOVEMBER 5, 2024
MEET MARK
CONSTITUTIONAL CONSERVATIVE BACK TO SERVE IOWA
Mark grew up on an Iowa farm, graduated from Eagle Grove High School and Buena Vista College. Commissioned a Marine in 1977.
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As an infantry officer he led Marines in every Division around the world, trained extensively in special operations, conducted counter drug operations in Columbia and led Marines in refugee operations during the Mariel boat lift out of Cuba.
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He arrived at the Department of State Counter-terrorism Bureau at the end of his 20-year Marine Corps career, and was asked to stay in a civilian capacity. He has been a key member in, or led, nearly every deployment of the Foreign Emergency Support Team (FEST) since the late 90's, providing subject matter expertise from throughout government to US Ambassadors in preparation for, or in the aftermath of terrorist attacks.
When not deployed, Mark discreetly coordinated some of the most sensitive counter-terrorism activities around the world. In the course of those duties, he traveled to over 60 nations. In 2008, he was promoted to the Senior Executive Service.
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In 2013, Mark testified as a whistleblower before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee regarding the terrorist attack on the US diplomatic facility in Benghazi, Libya
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Since his departure from the Department of State in 2016, he has returned to Iowa with his wife, Jacki, where they have reintegrated into their childhood community. He is a co-chair for the Republicans of Wright County.
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He substitute teaches and works part time during harvest with local farmers.
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Mark and Jacki live outside of Belmond, in Wright County. They have been blessed with two daughters, their husbands and six grandchildren.
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LIST OF ISSUES
PRO-LIFE
Life begins at conception. As adoptive parents, we have been blessed by two very courageous women who made the choice to give birth and provide us the joy of being parents. Our daughters learned at a very early age that not only did we love them, but their birth mothers loved them so much they chose to give them life.
PRO- SECOND AMENDMENT
The 2nd Amendment was designed for citizens to defend themselves, no matter the adversary. Strict gun laws are already on the books, and in places like Chicago such laws have illustrated the fallacy of their passage. Each citizen must have the right and opportunity to defend themselves, particularly in light of efforts to de-fund law enforcement.
PRO FAMILY FARM
Corporate or foreign ownership of farms compete with the foundation of our farm economy over multiple generations. It's not old fashion to have families producing the vital products that end up in our grocery stores. Bigger is not always better.
HEALTH CARE
Health care is vital for our Iowans. Doctors must have the freedom to make their own professional decisions unfettered by government mandates or government funding. While many of our hospitals have excellent and high standards in physical health care, Iowa ranks in the bottom 10% of all states when it comes to mental health facilities. Mental health is part and parcel with physical health. Mental health has a significant impact on local law enforcement. Our police and sheriffs are often tasked with incarcerating people who are mentally ill and deserve treatment, not jail. We can and we must do better to care for Iowans.
EDUCATION
Parents are their children's first teachers. Elected school boards are designed to represent the interests of their community. They are the connective tissue between teacher and parents. This local involvement and leadership have proven to be effective for generations. As a substitute teacher I see the complex and stressful situations our teachers face.
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LEGAL IMMIGRATION
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