Editorial by Matt Marquardt –
I have held off on commenting on the election until now.
The city election was everything I thought it would be and then some. I appreciate the outpouring of phone calls, text messages, emails, and sit-down conversations since I declared my candidacy up through today. You all made the effort worthwhile.
I did not come out on top in this election. I wanted to win. But I wanted to win the hard way. I asked for no money. I tore up checks and never cashed them. I asked for little or no help. I formed no committee. I did not, like a beggar, lower myself to panhandling for handouts so that I would owe people if I won. I just asked people to vote.
I went into battle alone. I bought signs and pamphlets with my own money. I knocked on doors. I attended every public function and faced the voters head on. I hit, and I hit hard; I pulled no punches. I did not change who I am just to get elected. I was then as I am now: a straight-shooter, a no-nonsense person who calls it like he sees it. I know now that I faced immense odds; the newspaper, the radio, the incumbents, the elite would never stand for a Marquardt victory. That would have brought the proletariate to the table, gave them a voice, something unheard of. They had to stop me at all costs – and they did – at all costs.
How could one man cause such panic in such powerful people?
My mere presence on the ballot forced the incumbents to cower, to hide in their living rooms, to prostitute their own families in ads, to prove to the people that they are frauds who will sell them out for a nickel or a sandwich. My candidacy forced the radio and newspaper writers and publishers to betray the public and prove that they can never be fully trusted. There were no bullets left in the chamber of their gun on election day.
My candidacy forced the snake oil salesmen oligarchy that run North Iowa to band together in a panic, to raise and spend thousands and thousands of dollars, to write letters, buy billboards, to whittle away countless hours strategizing to derail my possible election to office. I forced them all to gather at the courthouse on the evening of November 5th in somber mood to watch the vote counters do their job. They feared not me; they feared the truth, and what the truth would do to their luxury liner, their gravy train, their resume-building. They knew I would work tirelessly to put an end to the lies, the favoritism, the deals done on cocktail napkins, the bullying, the elitism; the exclusion of the poor, the un-represented, the common man.
In the end, I faced the bullies head on in this election, just as I have here on NIT. I punched them between the eyes. I made them blink. I chased the rats up a tree where they hid until election day. My effort wasn’t quite enough to get the job done. It was a bitter pill to swallow. But I made my point, and there will be new points to prove in the coming weeks, months and years.
Someone wrote here on NIT in the last few hours as a jab at me that “a loss is humbling.” I am not humbled by a loss. I have lost before.
When I was in 11th grade I achieved one of the biggest goals in my young life, which was to compete for the Mohawk track team at the Drake Relays in the mile run.
I got dead last in that race, and that was hard to accept.
The next year, on April 27th, 1991, I ran that same race.
And that day, I got first.
I’ll see you all here on NIT, everyday. Thanks for reading.
64 thoughts on “Marquardt comments on council election”
I’m surprised your mom didn’t throw you back into the dumpster when you were born.
Maybe, just maybe if you ran on your own ideas rather than just trying to trash the incumbents you would fair better. You may have good ideas but they were never heard well enough to get you elected. The constant drone of negativity wears on people after awhile. Besides that I thought we would have had a fun four years with you and Max in office together. What a hoot that would have been for anyone not residing in Mason City.
Doesn’t trash go in the trash? The man was performing a public service.
Matt, that giant sloth jabba the hut John Skipper called you a loser in his newspaper this week. Did you hear about that?
I did hear. I don’t read it, but my phone rang a couple of times. Skipper is a jealous, frightened old man who should have retired when he had the chance. Now that Lee Enterprises is nearly bankrupt and shedding workers like a dog sheds fleas, he is angry and vindictive that his man-son nearly lost the mayoral election- and looked real, real bad holding on. I think he will work till he is 80 or Mary Junck kicks him to the curb, one or the other. I enjoy his name-calling, it makes me chuckle. Thanks for the tip.
Don’t you have ten days to request a recount? Why in the hell isn’t anybody else suspicious of a rigging? Or is it that there’s just nothing that can be done about it?
@recount-probably not much that can be done even if it is true (I don’t think it is). I really doubt Kevin Kline would fix the vote. He would be liable by law if it ever came out. It was certainly dirty politics on the part of the GLOB, KGLO and KIMT, but not really illegal. Unethical yes and we should let our feeling be known by contacting the owners. They should be real interested as I don’t think they care about local politics but do care about advertisers. There were some other dirty politics by elected officials on the county level as well as Democratic Party and Republican Party Leaders. The elite tend to stick together at the country club.
I don’t believe there would be any rigging under Ken Kline’s watch. He is a man of the highest integrity, and simply wouldn’t stand for it.
Matt, thanks for taking a shot at public office. It takes a thick skin to come through the other side unscathed – no matter the outcome.
I think voters in MC are weary of the shrill name calling personal verbal assault approach to campaigning masquerading as a legitimate path to public office. Issues the voters care about were not discussed by challengers in any meaningful manner. All I recall was the negative onslaught over Mercy’s expansion, the proposed waste to energy project, etc., etc. and, your editorial still reflects that.
I appreciate your acknowledgement of my attempt. I’m just doing what I love. About to crank it up 8-10 notches so buckle up my friend.
The facts are all four incumbents won and all four challengers lost. Doesn’t matter if it was by one vote or a thousand votes. It is over and time to move on.
It takes guts to put your name on the ballot…. nuff said. Thanks, Matt.
Until you learn how to spell and talk keep your johnson in the barn.
Obviously you are the sick-o and YOU get out of town!
Matt you are such a load of crap I am sick and tired of your bull-#### you need to stop saying you are not bullying people when you did everything of that nature you are not wanted in Mason City you cause so much trouble hear you lie like a rug about your campaign when they looked for you and stupid Max Weaver neither of you were anywere to be found. You have both caused trouble in council meetings our meetings in past when Max was on council were refered to as circus acts. You are always trying to start a fight. How dare you make threats towards the Mayor by telling his wife to give him a injection of air that is SICK and twisted you need to leave town.You lie about to much you need to get your facts straight. Stop causing trouble.
http://exchanges.webmd.com/endometriosis/groupstory/13835379?post=forum
Matt didn’t say that dumbass, Peter Children did. I see you’re a genius too. Awesome.
Last I knew, editors of web-based publications were responsible for the content published… Matt allowed Mr. Children’s disgusting words to be published here. Part of me wonders if Matt allows Mr. Children’s missives to be published to give him (Matt) a “plausible deniability” when it hits the fan. There are ways to be a dissenting voice without resorting to acting like a petulant zoo monkey flinging excrement. I hope that lesson has been learned…the skeptic in me says the donkey won’t change its bray.
Free speech in and of itself isn’t disgusting, unless it’s by an anonymous idiot. At least Mr. Children uses his real name and took credit for what he said, try it sometime instead of being spineless. I didn’t like Mr. Children’s metaphor, and I think the mayor should be glad his wife seems to love him, he has nothing to worry about. But then again, sleeping with one eye open never hurts.
s johnson you got it all wroung ace your the piece of shithole you leave town,you piece of shit….
How DO THEY look in the mirror and say I’m one great human being?
Good stuff later to show their kids when they grow up.
You want numbers? I’d have to say Bookmeyer had many many less votes then the 1st time around, that tells us something in itself.
Matt and Max and Jodi and Leonard ALL had huge numbers even though not a record turn out.
All candidates gave us volumes of proof the incumbents should STILL run scared as they showed us by the number of votes PERIOD.
Matt
Thanks for running and thank you for seeking the truth
Thats a freakin masterpiece. Matt, the people must be insane to vote that old catchers mitt into office over you. Anxiously waiting NIT news, I see your cranking it back up last couple of days.
Low voter turnout screws us all AGAIN!
What you witnessed during the last election was a mere glimpse of what is yet to come. Marquart will become a force in this community, in more ways then not he already is.
His influence will only grow stronger as a no nonsense source of truth, I know he has expansion plans on the table now,just wait and watch.
should have been Tea Party
Matt, I like what you wrote, maybe we should start our own tea …..Jim
Good for you Matt and I am glad your spirit isn’t broken.
I think I told you, win or lose, this would be a life changing event in your life. Running for public office takes a lot of courage.
Keep up your good work!
Great job Max Matt Jodi and Leonard. I also compliment Maxand Matt on running on there own money. That’s how I did it and it was for the same reason. Good luck if you run again.
Nobody knew that you were running
County supervisor, last election.
I know that is what I am talking about. One or two signs did not get his name out there
I ran out of time and money. I bought 25 signs. If I run again I have time to make more signs and run a better election. Everybody this time did a much better job than I did and the election results proved. Still hard to win votes when the competition has endless cash flow to back him up.
Matt I am sorry you lost I was looking forward to you taking over my ward as Janet Solberg hasn’t done anything to improve our ward. She is just another Bookmeyer puppet. Thanks for running anyway you gave it your all.
The latest comments are what THEY are all about.
Like you could halp what people wtote Matt! You or an other candidate didn’t SAY or WRITE any of it.
Looks who’s starting the trash talk they are complaining about!
We KNOW who scores bigger and better in life!
First my hats off to you Matt. You had the BA**S to run for an elected office.You made it an interesting race. I wish you would dial back on the name calling and negative rhetoric but I guess that is just your personality. So be it. You complain about the money spent to beat you. No one else had a blog like you. That should have been priceless but I think it turned more people off than on. Keep questioning things but do it in a kinder way. Calling people “RATS” does no good IMHO.
Matt: I was disappointed to read that you had torn up checks. People wrote those checks because they wanted you to help them. They wanted you to run, and win so you could help turn this town around and do some good. Their checks were an investment in the future of Mason City. Tearing up those checks was like a slap in the face of those people who were depending on you.
Reality check….you and Max never had a chance.
I think a differance of 161 votes in ward 4 says he did have a chance. Try checking your reality…
The real differance was a hell of a lot closer than you think. 161 divided by 2 is 80.5. If 81 people would not have voted for Solbugger and voted for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You’re the winner!!
Very nicely written. I know there were many people pulling for you however they were not in your ward.
This is a great article Matt. I’m going to print it off and hang in on my desk at work for inspiration about not giving up. You have a great attitude my friend. I’ve been a little worried about you as I haven’t heard much from you recently but I should’ve known someone with a fighting spirit like yours would be ok.
Now is it true that Jay Urdahl backed the incumbents, made a sleazy appearance in a ritzy living room and backed them all? Is the same true for John Lee, who was thought to stay above he fray………. but was up to his waist behind the scenes? I heard kuhn did the same…… Kenneth told me.
Yes, Jay campaigned with in incumbents was at Dr. Ruin house, and also went to other gatherings. He once again shows how he can not stay out of anything and is a republican and not a democrat he just uses that to get the vote. Alex Kuhn also played both sides of the fence, taking information from one side to the other and all the while saying please don’t say I gave you this information. He to should just change his voting status to republican. He is no different than Jay. Self Serving and lie to your face never knowing what it means to have integrity or to do the right thing just for that reason, it is the right thing to do… I for one will never vote for Alex Kuhn again or Jay Urdahl. Even if they run unopposed I will not fill in a circle by their names ever again.
I’m glad this story got wrote and I’ll be next to say thank you to Matt and Jody and Max and Leanord, truly people FOR the poeple. Then I’ll just add that what the above person is saying is just exactly what I heard in town, that council man LEe and Kuhn where behind the scenes and made a lot of remarks, very hard on the chalengers. I know John Lee’s wife was at a rummage sale and had words with Charal Gerk, it was bad, she was vicious. I don’t know much about Jay Urdahl but Lee and Kuhn for sure.
We know all of this you wrote is true Matt.
I heard Weaver was gifted contributions also and didn’t use any of it.
The questions that stick with me over and over about these people and their supporters are…
HOW DO THEY THINK this is DOING the right thing in life and to fellowkind? Do they look in the mirror and say I am a good honest person? Or I know I’m being shady but just for awhile?
I don’t understand to this day how anyone can dispute good honest common sense for all that you and Max produce for us time and again.
Both of you scared them for sure, as you stated. We for sure know why. And they wrote and said things just as dirty as your readers.
The good news? They will have to answer some day some way, they certainly have lived long enough to know what happens when you are that kind of person.
Best thing that ever happened to Mason City. You lost.
So did you your mom, when the doctor dropped you on the floor.
Gotta Love FREEDOM OF SPEECH, however, should have to take an IQ test to use it! I’m betting yours is pretty LOW.
I wonder if everyone at culver hahn electric voted… or blogs on NIT while they are at work
That’s funny you say that cable boy, must be ben swyter from culver hahn he’s related to the torrres now. So he can talk trash about you matt, so he’s the real loser.
Matt what are your plans now. The election is over. Please tell me you won’t let them get away with this for four years. There won’t be anything left. There’s a council meeting in a week will you be there or not??
Don’t worry there is plenty of meth in town he’ll be there…
Mr.Funky what a jack*ss comment!
I still feel like it was rigged. “Issues” at more than one polling site? The incumbents didn’t show up for public forums and the celebration of Bookie’s win by his church 2 days before the election was even over…seems fishy to me. It LOOKS LIKE they were so sure they were going to win, they didn’t even need to bother. There were some really good candidates. You can’t tell me the Mayor shouldn’t have been nervous. He should’ve WANTED to debate, to stand his ground, to say something for himself…but, no, they all just sat back, probably already knowing the vote totals…weeks before election day.
Strange how in ward 4 there was a recount. Malfunction they said. Maybe a bag full of Matt votes was “lost” too.
Peculiar.
Calling a group of scumbags “elite” is silly.
I think Matt uses the term ‘elite’ in a tongue-in -cheek kinda way … he knows they are not elite anywhere but in their own minds. God I hope NIT holds them accountable. There’s no where else to get the truth anymore.
Congrats – and congrats to you in advance for the future!
Thank you Matt. I really appreciate your hard work and honesty. I hope you will continue exposing the wrongs that are being done to the taxpayers of this city. You and your news source or the only way we will hear the truth.
Matt, I liked the ending to your story in the way you compared your losing and winning in the Drake Relays. I don’t know if it’s a hint, but I like it!
I also didn’t know that you had torn up checks and ran only on your own funds. That is something to be proud of.
I know I speak for many when I Thank You for your efforts and stepping up to the plate. This town has been run by the rich for more than 50 years and my friend – IS THE PROBLEM with little growth the help the lower & middle class people of Mason City! They want Mason City just the way it is and refuse to grow and share the wealth! Sad as usual !!! BUT, that’s life in Mason City…
Correction: IS THE PROBLEM with little growth to help the lower & middle class people of Mason City!
Matt you are the man. I like your style, we want you to keep reporting the facts and Mason City will become a better place. Thank You