Ryan Melton

Editor’s note: In the next two weeks, readers will see increased focus on the November election.

Not only will Hamilton County voters be asked to make candidate choices,

but they will be asked to make decisions on several key ballot questions.

Look for stories about those ballot initiatives in this week’s Daily Freeman-Journal.

This evening voters get the chance to meet three Democrats running for offices directly relevant to Hamilton County voters. Those candidates are:

Ryan Melton, who is challenging Iowa 4th District Congressman Randy Feenstra.

Cynthia Paschen, who is challenging state Sen. Dennis Guth, who represents the state’s 28th District.

Jerry Kloberdanz, who is the incumbent 1st District Hamilton County Supervisor seeking reelection.

They will be the focus of a meet and greet this evening in the Sampson Room of Fuller Hall, 625 Bank Street, Webster City.

This free event runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

A little about Ryan Melton

Though he was born in Omaha, Melton, 39, moved to Webster City this year.

Previously he served as precinct chair for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign. He was a 4th District candidate in 2022 election, and a Story County Board of Supervisors candidate in 2018. He works as a supervisor of personal lines insurance at Nationwide.

Melton attended Iowa State University on a full scholarship; he graduated in 2005 with a B.S. in History and Political Science.

While at ISU he served as a journalist for the Iowa State Daily and as president of the ISU Mock Trial team, which made it to two national tournaments, according to his website bio. In 2008 he graduated from Kansas University with an MA in U.S. History, focusing on post-reconstruction, civil rights and environmental history.

Melton has said he has a passion for the environment “and regard for all life have led him to live as a compassionate vegetarian for the past 19 years. While land management, sustainability, water quality, and sanctity of life are key factors in his personal choice to be a vegetarian, he understands that choice is not for everyone.

“Being raised by a family of modest means, he understands many of the challenges that face working families. He has helped and supported family members who have dealt with addiction and mental health issues. Ryan was the only person in his immediate family to attend college and graduate, thanks to the support of his family and public school teachers. He and wife Laura are raising Nigel and Lincoln.”

A little about Cythia Paschen

Paschen, who lives near Jewell, describes herself as a journalist and community activist.

“I’m running for the Iowa Senate because rural Iowa needs a fighter,” she told the Wright County Monitor earlier this year.

“Under the Republican trifecta, the most fragile in our community have been ignored by our state government. I want rural Iowans to thrive. I will fight to fully fund our public schools, public libraries, and Area Education Associations (AEAs.) LGBTQ Iowans deserve to live their lives without fear or scrutiny of their genitals. I will fight to protect the reproductive freedoms of all Iowans.”

Pachen added, “For far too long, Iowans have been ignored by career politicians like Dennis Guth. I’ve spent my life working telling the stories of Iowa’s most vulnerable. I plan to take these experiences to Des Moines and be their advocate in the Iowa Senate.”

Iowa Senate District 28 includes all of Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Humboldt, and Wright Counties, as well as Story City and Roland. Senator Dennis Guth currently represents Senate District 28.

Paschen and her husband John Paschen, M.D., divide their time between their Ames home and their farm in Jewell. In addition to her other works, she has worked as a volunteer with Mary Greeley Hospice.

A little about Jerry Kloberdanz

Kloberdanz has lived in Webster City most of his life. He graduated from Webster City High School and then worked for Electrolux from April 1979 until the plant was closed on March 31, 2011.

“I was a union leader with United Auto Workers Local 442 for 32 years. After the plant closed, I went to college and received an AA (Associate of Arts) degree in Geographical Information Systems. I went to work being a precision ag technician at Brokaw Supply in Fort Dodge.

“I was on the People’s Credit Union Board for 15 years. I have been on the Webster City Recycling Committee, Airport Committee, Traffic Committee, and eight years on the City Council. I am now in my fourth year as a Hamilton County Supervisor.”

As a supervisor, he has used all of that previous experience to work through the complex demands the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors face, he said.

“Over the last, close to four years as a Hamilton County Supervisor, I believe that I have always listened to the people of Hamilton County and tried to make the best decisions that I can. The thing that voters need to understand, as a supervisor you do not make decisions on your own. You have to work with the other supervisors and work together to do your best for the county residents.”

Cynthia Paschen

Jerry Kloberdanz