Answers coming in Iowa Senate District 18; join us for live chat

The man was angry, speaking loudly so that he could be heard as the Oct. 26 televised debate between Iowa Senate District 18 special election candidates Cindy Golding and Liz Mathis drew near the end of its scheduled hour.

Holding a card in his hand, he walked to the back of Linn-Mar High School Auditorium, where he shoved the card at KCRG-TV9 news director Kara Kelly and demanded to know why we wouldn't ask the candidates his question. KCRG-TV9 and The Gazette were co-sponsors of the debate.

I joined the conversation to ask him to quiet down so that people could hear the candidates. I told him the program almost was over and that there would be no time for more questions. I offered to take the card, though, and while he was not satisfied, his voice went to a whisper and he gave me the card. Written on it was:

“Why can't the people of Iowa vote on gay marriage” (sic)

Try as they may to distance themselves from that topic Golding, the Republican candidate, and Mathis, the Democrats' offering, cannot avoid it. They tell us that Tuesday's special election for the state senate seat is about attracting business, growing jobs, improving public education and keeping taxes low are the important. And, of course, control of the Iowa Senate.

But whether or not Iowans get to vote on a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as being between a man and woman resonates with plenty of passionate people. And those people are watching this special election that decides whether Democrats maintain a 26-to-24 edge in the Senate.

And, yes, Jon Tack is running from the Constitutional Party and an unpredictable win by him would provide a 25-to-24-to-1 split. It isn't going to happen. But I at least wanted to acknowledge that three people are seeking the seat, not just the two from which the winner likely is to be selected.

Tuesday night is answer night and The Gazette and TheGazette.com are ready to tell you how this all falls into place. Our coverage plans include not just the Senate District 18 race but also municipal elections throughout Eastern Iowa. This includes the hotly contested races for Cedar Rapids City Council as well as council seats and, in some cities, mayoral races in other parts of the Corridor and region. We'll work with our colleagues at KCRG-TV9 for the most complete report available from Eastern Iowa.

If you are interested in discussing the results Tuesday night, Todd Dorman and I will be joined by Christopher Larimer, University of Northern Iowa associate professor of political science, in a live chat at www.TheGazette.com, starting at 9 p.m. I have tried to think of a good stopping time but how quickly the results are known will dictate that.

The live chat will focus on the Senate District 18 race that has attracted such wide attention but we also can talk about other races in which people are interested. Feel free to join us.

And that question about gay marriage? I asked it of Golding and Mathis during a joint session they had with The Gazette Editorial Board on Oct. 31. Golding wants a vote; Mathis does not think it is necessary.