MASON CITY – A Mason City voter today is urging fellow ballot-casters to take a good hard look at the dozens of out-of-town democrat contributions flowing into the leftist mayoral campaign for Kimber Kleven, providing documentation analyzing the partisan funds she has accepted via a so-called “dark money PAC.”
EDITORIAL: FOLLOW THE MONEY – PAC MONEY SHOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN OUR MAYORAL RACE!
I watched the debate between John Lee and Kimber Kleven that took place on Monday, October 20. I’m not typically very involved in politics but John was my high school government teacher so I figured I would tune in. One of the first questions the moderator asked revolved around fundraising in this race. I did some research on this issue myself and I didn’t realize that anyone can look up any given campaign’s donors and expenditures! Multiple mailers have been sent out to Mason City residents by the Kleven campaign that show they’ve been “paid for by LIFT IOWA PAC” (SEE ATTACHED PHOTO OF KLEVEN MAILER).
A quick Google search about the “LIFT IOWA PAC” shows an article published by the leftist website “Bleeding Heartland” (See attached article). The article references the organization’s “current board of 30 experienced Democratic elected officials, staffers and organizers.” The article concludes with “the Democratic bench will gain strength with the concerted effort of all Iowa Democrats.” In the debate, Kleven downplayed how partisan this PAC really is when she said “LIFT IOWA helps candidates that are not Democrats… as well.” This is simply NOT TRUE. On the LIFT IOWA PAC website (www.liftiowa.org), there are links to donate to their PAC via ActBlue. To state the obvious, the ActBlue PAC is another fundraising platform that ONLY supports Democrats nationally. On Kleven’s Facebook campaign page, you can donate to her campaign via an ActBlue link. Interesting.
On the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board (IECDB) website, I looked up the most recent campaign disclosure summary page for “LIFT IOWA PAC” and the results paint an even clearer picture. (https://iecdbblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/reports-prod/SCPA50657_DR2_Summary_09-19-2025T21.00.03.591.pdf). For the reporting period between January 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025, there was only one donor to the LIFT IOWA PAC that’s from Mason City – Amanda Ragan. The other 45 donors are from outside of Mason City (i.e. Des Moines, Marshalltown, Cedar Rapids etc.). The LIFT IOWA PAC also cut two checks during said reporting period to a Melissa Watson for “consultant services.” The first check was processed on April 24, 2025 for $10,000.00; the second check was processed on June 9, 2025 for $7,500.00. If you search “Melissa Watson” and “Des Moines”, her LinkedIn profile pops up and she’s a “Comptroller for the Iowa Democratic Party.” Don’t be fooled – the LIFT IOWA PAC has partisan fingerprints all over it!
By typing in “Kleven for Mayor” under “County and Local Reports” on the IECDB website, you can find all contributions and expenses for her campaign. (https://iecdbblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net/reports-prod/LOCL51267_DR2_Summary_10-29-2025T20.00.03.825.pdf). She received over $6,000.00 from LIFT IOWA PAC! They’re a partisan, special interest group where 45 out of 46 donors this year don’t even live close to Mason City. Like many people in this country, I believe that PACs should have no place in politics, especially smaller and local races. PACs are dirty. They’re used to shield dark money, regardless of either political party. Why would a special interest group made up of people in Des Moines or Cedar Rapids have any interest in the Mason City mayoral race? PACs don’t contribute to candidates unless they eventually want something in return. This country needs to get back to true grassroots campaigns that give citizens and local communities their voices back. To my knowledge, Lee is refusing PAC money for this very reason. Her financial report also shows her using advertising, printing and reproduction companies from Waterloo and Des Moines. If you’re going to get in bed with an out-of-town PAC, at least throw a couple dollars to our local printing companies!
I am extremely concerned about Kleven’s campaign and I think you should be too. Mason City should not be mortgaged to the LIFT IOWA PAC and their dirty money. Their donors do not live here. They have zero interest in the future of our city. Please do your research. FOLLOW THE MONEY!
SOURCES:
Bleeding Heartland:
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2025/08/09/lift-iowa-pac-lifting-the-local-leaders-iowa-needs/
“LIFT IOWA PAC” DR-2 Financial Report for January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2025:
“Kleven for Mayor” DR-2 Financial Report for 5 Days Before General Election Report (November 4, 2025):
Submitted by Zach Degen, Resident of Mason City
(TOP IMAGE of Kimber Kleven via her facebook page. NIT did contact the Kleven campaign for a response to this opinion, and will publish that, if one is offered.)
10 thoughts on “Mason City voter urges examination of democrat dollars flowing to Kimber Kleven campaign for mayor”
It’s a problem that her many friends and family members donate? That’s exactly who’s donating to Lee’s campaign, and he’s so unsure about his chances that he refuses to give up his council seat first. IF he wins, the city will have to spend a bunch of money to hold a special election. Very fiscally responsible, Johnny Boy.
Why don’t you post with your real name, instead of anonymously? Ashamed of yourself?
I would vote for Lee but if you look at his money, most of it comes from the Mason City Country Club set.
Well I for one am tired of seeing all the spending going downtown.
Been listening to this song and dance since 2010…
Why didn’t you contact her fir comments? Seems like story is pretty 1 sided to me. Bob V
Ya the OPINION is all factual, and of course there is an opinion in there, from the voter.
Did you read the entire thing… at the bottom, I clearly state that NIT reached out to the KK campaign for comment, and will publish that is she bothers to send it.
Probably should see where the other candidates are getting their money from. That would have made a better article.
There is only one other candidate. Definitely not a Democrat.
Good informative article
Thanks