The State Democratic Party Convention was held on Saturday, June 18th, lasting until the early hours of June 19th. Five delegates from Cass County attended: Mike Young of Griswold, Cheryl Wessels of Anita, and Melissa Warren, Gerard O’Rourke, and Sherry Toelle, all of Atlantic. The Iowa Democratic Party Platform was voted on and ratified by a majority of the delegates attending the convention.

National delegates were chosen for each Presidential candidate. Other positions that were voted on included the Presidential electors, Democratic National Committee members, State Affirmative Action Chair, as well as the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Constituency Caucus groups. Sherry Toelle, Cass County Democratic Party Chair, was elected Vice-Chair of the newly-formed Seniors and Retirees Caucus, earning her a seat on the State Central Committee.

In a statement, Toelle said “I am very pleased to have been elected to the Seniors/Retiree Caucus. I worked with seniors throughout my career as a social worker and have grave concerns for seniors and retirees who are forced out of their homes due to finances and health issues. I hope that I can continue to make a difference in the lives of seniors. Should anyone have generic issues that they would like to discuss with me, I would appreciate their contacting me.”

The Democratic National Convention will be held in Philadelphia from July 25th through the 28th, culminating in the nomination of the Democratic Presidential candidate.