After some controversy over the rules, a nominating convention will be held tonight by Democratic precinct members in Iowa House District 33 to elect a candidate for the special election set for Nov. 24.

The convention, which was set by Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan following consultation with the Democratic State Central Committee, will take place 10 minutes following adjournment of the regular monthly meeting of the Linn County Democratic Central Committee, a body of precinct representatives primarily elected during the caucus process. The District, which is comprised of 11 precincts (Cedar Rapids 1 through 11), would ideally be filled by 22 representatives, or two from each precinct. According to information on the Linn County Democrats’ Web site, nine of those seats are vacant.

The current voting membership of the Linn County Democratic Central Committee will decide at their meeting if such vacant seats will be filled, and by whom, prior to the start of the nominating convention. Any new members seated to vacant slots on the committee will have full voting rights for the convention.

The executive board of the Linn County Democrats, according to a letter made public on their Web site, petitioned Kiernan and the Iowa Democratic Party to set the nominating convention prior to the regular monthly meeting. Such a move would have ensured that those voting in the nominating convention would be the individuals already elected and serving in the 11 Cedar Rapids precincts represented by House District 33.

…From our perspective, holding the Convention before the October Central Committee meeting would be a superior time line. All votes would be cast by current Central Committee members, who through their past attendance and work, have show a commitment to the Linn County Democrats. Our proposed time line would be ultimately fair to each of the candidates who will have equal opportunity to solicit the endorsement of the current Central Committee members. Moreover, Linn County would be spared the divisiveness and disruption that these events may promote…

Following a telephone meeting of the State Central Committee for guidance, Kiernan cited the need both for local parties to be as inclusive as possible and for county parties to be able to continue to govern themselves.

“As for the issue of filling vacant central committee seats, I will leave this matter to the Linn County Democratic Central Committee to decide in accordance with Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution of the Iowa Democratic Party and Article I of the Linn County Democratic Central Committee By-Laws. The process to fill or not to fill the seats is the sole responsibility of the Linn County Democratic Central Committee as both documents clearly outline,” wrote Kiernan in a letter to Diane Hoffman, chairwoman of the Linn County Democrats, and Pat Murphy, Speaker of the Iowa House.

Two individuals have signaled their intention to run for the nomination by the Democratic Party. Norm Sterzenbach, Sr., 63, a military veteran who has been a steady presence in county politics for years and currently serves as the county Democrats’ second vice chairman, and Kirsten Running-Marquard, 32, who works in U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack’s office and is the daughter of former state Rep. Rich Running, are both expected to be nominated as candidates. The group will also entertain nominations from the floor.

The special election for the Iowa House seat will be the second in the state this year. In the previous special election, in House District 90, Democrat Curt Hanson bested Republican Stephen Burgmeier by a handful of votes. In that race, conservative special interest groups attempted to make same-sex marriage an issue. Because of the voter demographics of House District 33, the Democratic nominee will have a strong chance of winning the seat, which means conservative interest groups may take a less active role in the campaign.

One key factor in deciding the Democratic nomination will be support from labor unions. Sterzenbach is a former business manager with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and is known for his strong ties to labor. His son is executive director of the Iowa Democratic Party. Running-Marquard also has support from other key union members.

The vacancy in the state legislature occurred earlier this month when Rep. Dick Taylor, a Democrat who has represented the area since a special election in 2000, announced his retirement. The monthly meeting and the nominating convention will be held at the Best Western Longbranch Hotel and Convention Center.