Crossing party lines in HD 68

Linn County Supervisor Brent Oleson is in hot water for putting loyalty to a friend before his partisan duties, and for putting a photo on Facebook.

The photo shows the Marion Republican wearing a Daniel Lundby campaign sweatshirt. Lundby is a Democratic state representative locked in an epic race with Republican Ken Rizer. The state Democratic and Republican parties have poured more than $250,000 into the House District 68 campaign, so stakes are high.

'The constitution is clear,” said John Haible, a member of the Linn County Republican Central Committee, who made a motion at last week's meeting to remove Oleson from the committee. The party's constitution prohibits committee members from backing an opponent of a Republican candidate. 'I don't have an issue with him personally ... And the Republicans are about rules and following them,” Haible said.

The rules are clear, but so are Oleson's ties to the Lundby family.

Daniel Lundby is the son of Mary Lundby, a Republican who served Marion for many years in both the Iowa House and Senate. She was Oleson's close friend and political mentor from his teenage years until Mary died of cancer in January 2009.

'I promised Mary I'd look after him,” Oleson said of Daniel, whom he calls a 'brother.”

Two years ago, Daniel Lund­by won a seat in the House by narrowly defeating Republican Rep. Nick Wagner. Oleson played a behind-the-scenes role in Lundby's effort, but only after meeting with Wagner to explain his personal loyalty to the Lundby family. Oleson had a similar meeting with Rizer this time around.

'Brent told me he'd be supporting Daniel, but made clear he wouldn't play a role in Daniel's campaign,” Rizer said in an email.

Oleson insists that he's refrained from openly campaigning, donating money or other public roles. He privately advises the Democrat 'sitting at the same table where Mary Lundby sat,” Oleson said.

But then, he posted that photo. 'They finally got something they can use,” he said.

Oleson, like his mentor, is from the contrarian wing of the GOP, often dubbed a 'RINO” by orthodox elephants. Oleson supports marriage equality. He was sharply critical of Gov. Terry Branstad's vetoes of conservation dollars last spring. He backed Ron Paul for president.

When you buck your party, sometimes, it bucks back. Oleson missed last week's meeting, so the central committee withheld final action until he has a chance to appear in person and defend himself. Oleson said he plans to do that at next month's meeting. By then, the election will be history.

Again, Haible's right about the rules, and he has every right to cry foul. His feelings about Oleson's actions are sincere and understandable.

But from the outside, cast against our era of entrenched political parties, red-blue battles and drawn daggers, I see Oleson's heresy as admirable. There's been a lot of talk this fall about 'Iowa values,” and I think loyalty, family, friendship and doing what you think is right, despite the consequences, would all make the list. Some things are just more important than parties.

l Comments: (319) 398-8452; todd.dorman@thegzette.com