Rielly Gets Nod From Local Democrats

Tom Rielly (D) accepts the nomination of Mahaska County Democrats to run for the soon vacant seat of Ken Rozenboom on Wednesday night.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – In a brief meeting of the Mahaska County Democrats, Tom Rielly accepted the nomination of his party to run for the office of Mahaska County Supervisor.

Rielly will appear on the ballot in this month’s special election to fill the vacant  supervisor seat of Ken Rozenboo, who was elected to the Iowa Senate.

Rielly says he felt he ran a good campaign in the general election but, “came up a little bit short.”

“I took some time to reassess everything,” Rielly says. Rielly said that he had conversations with people that continued to encourage him to “hang in there and try for this special election.”

“Just a I said in the general [election], I think I still have some things I can offer and can help out Mahaska County as far as experience, relationships and being in a position where I’ve had to make some tough decisions,” Rielly said in an interview shortly after being nominated. “I was offered an opportunity and I decided to take it.”

Rielly, while serving in the Iowa Senate, drafted legislation that lead to the portion of Highway 63 that runs through Oskaloosa being added to the CIN (Commercial Industrial Network). “I view this as being one of the most critical projects that the State of Iowa’s going to be facing. I absolutely want to be part of that. That’s another reason why I still want to have my hat in the game,” Rielly commented.

“Hopefully on January 29th, they’ll pull Rielly for Supervisor and I’ll be able to represent the good citizens of Mahaska County again,” Rielly said in conclusion.