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Long-time Democrat Steinfort leaves Democratic party on her own terms

Pat Steinfort, long known as a Democrat, has left the party and become an Independent. Ms. Steinfort was nice enough to invite NIT Publisher Matt Marquardt to her home for an exclusive interview.

by Matt Marquardt –

MASON CITY – Long-time Democratic party supporter Pat Steinfort, known by many as “Pat the Democrat” has left the party and become an independent.

“I’m very happy where I’m at,” Ms. Steinfort told NIT this week during an interview at her home. “I can support any candidate I want,” without repercussions, she said.

A complaint was made against Ms. Steinfort to Cerro Gordo County Auditor Ken Kline, she says, by Cerro Gordo County Democratic Party Chairman John Stone.  Ms. Steinfort alleges that she was disciplined because she supported Republican candidate Chris Watts, who was running for the District 3 Supervisor seat held by Democrat Phil Dougherty.

She says she was “disciplined” by the auditor by being removed from a board and not being able to work on election day.

Ms. Steinfort is known to have put in countless hours for the party over the last 22 years, rounding up absentee ballots and tirelessly campaigning and supporting Democratic party candidates, but no more.

“Since I am such a ‘bad Democrat’ I am now an Independent, and I love every minute of it because I can go out on the street and campaign for whoever I want, Republican, Democrat and Independent, and no one can touch me.  I think that’s the way the Democratic Party wants it.  Especially the Cerro Gordo Democrats.”

Ms. Steinfort says a lot of Democrats are staying away from Democratic party meetings here in the county, and “a lot of it has to do with our County Chair (John Stone) and how things are run.”

Ms. Steinfort says she was told to stay away from Democratic party meetings. “That’s fine by me,” Ms. Steinfort said.

She also says about 4 years ago, Chris Watts was running for Supervisor as a registered Democrat, against Dougherty, and tried to attend a Democratic party meeting and was physically blocked from entering the Courthouse by Jay Urdahl and John Stone.  Watts has previously said the same thing.

“That really bothered me,” Ms. Steinfort said.  “Who knows what they were thinking.”

Ms. Steinfort said that moving forward, she will support the best candidate for any office, and not base her support simply on party affiliation.

Watch video:

httpv://youtu.be/xPICLDgvSBs


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