Woodbury Democrats Question SD-1 GOP Candidate’s Decision to Dodge Public Forum
SIOUX CITY (August 12, 2025)—The Woodbury County Democratic Party (WCDP) is disappointed to learn that the League of Women Voters Sioux City (LWVSC) will not host their traditional Candidate Forum for the special election for State Senator, District 1 to be held August 26, 2025. Democratic candidate Catelin Drey has responded affirmatively to all opportunities to engage voters, including the LWVSC invitation. But according to their press statement, the LWVSC have been diligently trying to reach the Republican candidate in that race, Christopher Prosch, to no avail. Repeated phone calls, emails, and even outreach to Woodbury County Republicans have reportedly gone unanswered.
WCDP Chair Ryan Akerberg expressed his frustration with the Republican candidate's refusal to engage in this long-held tradition. "While Chris Prosch is willing to hide behind the Republican Party of Iowa's distortions of Catelin Drey's stands and beliefs, and even their opinion on her hair color several years ago, he doesn't seem to be willing to have a civil discussion about the issues that matter to the citizens of Iowa Senate District 1.
“We find this frustrating but not surprising," Akerberg continued. "I'd ask Mr. Prosch to stand up and let the voters of Iowa Senate District 1—voters he purports to want to represent—hear his views before the election, so they can make an informed decision about the qualifications of these two candidates, rather than afterward when it's too late.”
Akerberg and the WCDP Communications Committee are exploring the possibility of a Community Forum with only Catelin Drey.
Said WCDP Communication Committee Chair Kim Mathers, “We want voters to hear Catelin discuss the issues that matter to her and the voters of Senate District 1: healthcare access, public education, economic mobility, affordable childcare, bodily autonomy, clean air and water, a stable workforce, retirement security and other issues. Voters deserve to hear about the candidates’ views and intentions on these critical matters, and Catelin Drey seems to be the only candidate in this race willing to have such a discussion.”
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