BizPac Endorses Cedar Rapids City Council Candidates

By Rick Smith, Reporter

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Oct 26, 2009 at 3:03 PM CST

Story Updated: Oct 26, 2009 at 3:03 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS — Linn Area BizPAC, the political-action committee of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, has endorsed District 3 council incumbent Jerry McGrane over at-large council member Pat Shey, who is challenging McGrane for the seat.

Also on Monday, the political-action committee endorsed incumbent Kris Gulick, 50, over challengers Ryan Russell, 28, and Tim Pugh, 32, in the District 1 council race. Pugh did not fill out the group’s questionnaire or interview or otherwise seek its endorsement.

In District 5, the committee endorsed Justin Shields, 67, who is running unopposed.

And in the race for two open at-large seats, the committee endorsed three candidates, Nick Duffy, 23, Chuck Swore, 66, and Don Karr Jr., 64, and declined to endorse two others, Aaron Saylor, 28, and Robert Bates, 43. Bates didn’t participate in the endorsement process.

Last week, Linn Area BizPAC endorsed Ron Corbett, 49, for mayor over Brian Fagan, 37, and P.T. Larson, 52.
In its endorsement statement on Monday, the political-action committee noted that Shey, 50, scored 100 percent on the committee’s questionnaire, while McGrane, 69, scored only 83 percent.

However, the committee said McGrane has been “more accessible and better engaged in moving the city forward” than Shey. The committee said Shey was articulate on the issues, but the committee said it was “disappointed in his lack of accessibility and engagement.” A third candidate, Kathy Potts, 50, did not participate.

In backing Gulick in District 1, Linn Area BizPAC noted that Gulick owns his own business and understands the needs of small business.

The committee said Shields has been an advocate for job growth and economic development and “has not been afraid to lead on critical issues, even when they were controversial.”

In the at-large race, the committee said Duffy “will listen to both sides” and “bring a youthful approach” to the council; said Karr “has unmatched passion” for Cedar Rapids and has been very active in flood-recovery efforts; said Swore also is “passionate” and brings a “unique perspective” because he has worked both with unions and management.

Election Day is Nov. 3. In races in which no candidate wins a majority of vote, a runoff will be held Dec. 1.

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