In small towns, families step up to run for office

Politics often can become a family affair in small-town Iowa, though the impetus has more to do with the nature of small towns than with dynasties such as the Bushes, Clintons and Kennedys on the national stage.

The clustering of extended families in small towns and the shortage of city office candidates help explain why the ballots in at least eight Eastern Iowa communities had more than one candidate with the same last name.

Iowa State University sociologist Terry Besser, who has studied 99 small Iowa towns since 1994, said 45 percent of the respondents to the 2014 survey indicated they live in their hometown because it's close to relatives. Twenty-two percent reported that half or more of their relatives live in the town, Besser said.

'There is a limited number of people willing to put in the time and effort to serve in city government,” said Iowa State University Extension sociologist Debra Tootle, who has collaborated in the ISU studies.

Those eight towns - Bennett, Clutier, Fort Atkinson, Garnavillo, Millersburg, North Buena Vista, Prairieburg and Quasqueton - have an average population of 336 people.

In the Tama County town of Clutier, population 208, Linda Pearson and her stepson, Blake Pearson, are incumbents seeking re-election to the City Council.

'It's a small town. You can't get anyone else to run,” Linda Pearson said.

In Bennett, population 396, Carl Badtram and his wife, Debra, are among four candidates seeking two available seats on the City Council.

Badtram said he and his wife, who previously served on the council, debated whether to get involved but eventually 'got talked into it” by friends and neighbors.

In Millersburg, population 159, Charles Gensley and his son, Travis, are running for seats on the City Council.

'We're just trying to keep Millersburg a nice little town to live in,” said Charles Gensley, who had earlier served eight years on the council.

In Quasqueton, population 550, Terry Kress and his son, Bill Kress, are candidates for City Council.

A disagreement with city officials over a drainage issue prompted their decision to run, Terry Kress said.

Bill Kress said he's complained enough about city policies. 'Now it's time to put up or shut up,” he said.