Tempers flare, tears flow, resignations fly in heated Cerro Gordo Republican meeting

MASON CITY – Things nearly got out of hand at a recent Cerro Gordo County Republican Committee meeting and a couple attendees left the political pow-wow with hurt feelings and a damp Kleenex, NIT is told.

The hubbub all started Monday night, June 1, when the righties all got together at an insurance shop in Mason City to strategize on how to own those pesky lib’s at the ballot box. Folks gathered at the Farm Bureau at 6 PM that night to talk politics and were getting seated when, NIT is told, now-former committee member Lisa Yunek walked in and started snapping photos of the group.

“She didn’t like it that no one was wearing a mask,” a person at the meeting claimed while  describing the meeting to NIT. There was only one person out of approximately 3 dozen there wearing a mask. “I was appalled that she started taking pictures,” the attendee continued.  “I think she wanted to make trouble.”

Mrs. Yunek, wife of a prominent local attorney Joel Yunek, wasn’t the only one miffed on the anti-mask atmosphere. (GOP, NIT is told, feel weak when wearing masks, since Dear Leader Donald refuses to wear them.) As the meeting was getting underway, a local gal who attended, Emily Peters, demanded to know why the meeting wasn’t conducted via video conference on Zoom, possibly to dispel virus transmission chances.  Mrs. Yunek, a county committee member, chimed in, and things went south from there.  Voices were raised; an elected official in attendance told NIT that there was “rampant hostility” in the room.

“Tensions ran high,” NIT was told.  “One of the uglier meetings I’ve been to,” according to the lawmaker.

Another lawmaker told NIT, “It wasn’t a fun meeting.  The nonsense has got to stop.”

Soon, as the shouting reached a fever pitch, Mrs. Yunek was admonished by Committee Chair Barb Hovland who threatened Mrs. Yunek with expulsion. Mrs. Hovland, with what appeared to be strong support from her membership, as it was described to NIT, scolded Mrs. Yunek for being disruptive.  Several members immediately seconded Hovland’s motion to oust Yunek. Member Don O’Connor then pointed out that a period of notice was required, by party committee rules and by-laws, prior to the commencement of expulsion proceedings. However, before discussion could even begin, Mrs. Yunek rose and walked toward the door.

“You don’t need to expel me,” she exclaimed.  “Consider this as my resignation!”

She then exited the building.

In the run-up to this confrontation, another member, Emily Peters, appeared to anger Mrs. Hovland and some of the other Republicans, by repeatedly interrupting her, it is alleged by some in attendance. NIT was also told that conservative writer and political mastermind Todd Blodgett had accepted an invitation to address the group on behalf of Steve Minert, the Mason City businessman who is running for the position of Cerro Gordo county Recorder. Mr. Blodgett, who always legally carries a firearm and once made a carnie cry after the vagabond stole Mr. Blodgett’s wallet, had words with Ms. Peters, as it was described to NIT, after Mrs. Yunek stormed out.  Since the meeting adjourned, it’s been rumored that Mr. Blodgett had somehow “bullied” Mrs. Yunek and Ms. Peters. Mr. Blodgett vehemently denied so doing when challenged on this by NIT.

“How is it ‘bullying,’” Mr. Blodgett demanded to know, “to call out someone for rudely interrupting the elected chair of the organization, who was the presiding officer of the meeting?

Republicans told NIT that during the meeting, Ms. Peters raised eyebrows by accusing Mrs. Hovland of disliking Shannon Latham, who is seeking the seat in the Iowa House of Representatives seat which is being vacated by former Speaker Linda Upmeyer.

“As far as I’m concerned,” Mr. Blodgett told NIT, “Barb and several others have ample reason to be highly displeased with Mrs. Latham. When Barb and I took her to lunch, at the onset of her doomed race against [state Senator] Amanda Ragan, she arrived late, and was as arrogant as she was clueless.

“But the issue of Shannon Latham didn’t arise at that June first meeting, until Emily Peters dredged it back up. In my view, Mrs. Hovland deserves a medal, for the idiocy she’s had to put up with, much of it instigated by Emily Peters.”

A source told NIT, “After what I saw in that meeting, and knowing how Todd deals with people who mess with him, I’d never want Blodgett for an enemy. Without using any profanity and just by citing her own words right back to her, Blodgett shredded Emily… she was staggered.  I thought she was gonna faint.  In fact, Ms. Peters got all teary-eyed and ran out the door” like her compatriot Mrs. Yunek did minutes earlier.

When asked about Mrs. Yunek, Blodgett said he didn’t bully her, and that they “have been friends since Jimmy Carter was President.” Mr. Blodgett added, “Lisa and her husband, Joel, are friends of mine, and have been for decades. I wish them only the best.”

The committee did confirm delegates for the upcoming state conventions.  Discussion was held on promoting Republican county candidates.  Possible “RINOs” and liberals in the room were told “there’s the door” during the meeting by Mrs. Hovland.

Efforts to reach Mrs. Hovland for comment were unsuccessful.