Mason City school board race gets worse after candidate accused of harassment

MASON CITY – An already ugly fight over the school mascot in a race for the Mason City school board has gotten worse after a male candidate for office stands accused of harassing a female candidate with bizarre, romantic overtures.

NIT has confirmed with the Mason City police department that a complaint was filed by Mason City school board candidate Megan Markos against fellow candidate Ryan Schupick.  Mason City Chief of Police told NIT this morning, “I think Markos does a good job of outlining the case in the statement that you attached.  I don’t normally comment on these kinds of investigations and have nothing to add to her statement.”

The public social media statement posted by Ms. Markos that Chief Brinkley is referring to:

Allegedly, Ryan Schupick is the owner of a Twitter account, @schupick_r84455, at which some of the alleged harassment has taken place.  Ms. Markos shared screenshots of some of the posts there that she feels crossed a line from several days ago.  This Twitter account has since continued to name Ms. Markos.  Yesterday, this account blasted numerous “tweets,” some of which name Ms. Markos.  One says, “My will – is that my mom and dad rewrite their own wills . And leave my entire share of the estate – to Meg markos . Since she’s the daughter – in -law , my parents always wanted. I actually trust Meg with it. And I know she’ll do the right thing – and put it all into the north Iowa mutual aid society so we can get feminine hygiene products in all of the blessing boxes at the churches in town.”  

Currently, there does not appear to be an actual criminal charge against Ryan Schupick in connection to this matter.

Ryan Schupick is a candidate for Mason City school board.  Also for Mason City council ward 3.  Politically, he has been connected to the Cerro Gordo County Republican Party.  They proudly made him their “member spotlight” in 2021 (see image at top via CG GOP public social media post).  He was reportedly employed at his parents’ business, Schupick & Associates, P.C. in Mason City.  NIT attempted to reach Ryan Schupick there this morning to interview him about his alleged actions, but was told by a woman who answered the phone that she could not confirm he remains employed there.  Is there tension in this accounting office?  His alleged Twitter account posted yesterday, “My parents side with Meg Markos every time. I’m not living with them anymore . I’m not working for them anymore. They ever talk to me like the one time I was in court I didn’t win my case. I’m moving to a monastery . I’m not putting up with that type of disrespect.From my parents.”

Ms. Markos did candidly answer a few questions about this on-going incident.  She told NIT that she and Ryan Schupick only know of each other vaguely from prior to this election, having met briefly in a social setting once before that entailed a short conversation.  Her wish is to keep the election professional and focus on the qualities and beliefs each candidate is offering the board.

Meanwhile, there are 8 candidates for school board and only four will make the cut.  Let us pray they all have good intentions beyond harassment or a mere school mascot.