Halliburton is retiring at the end of the year.

State Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald and Secretary of State Mike Mauro are the featured speakers.

Everyone is welcome to attend the barbecue, which is also a fundraiser for Democratic candidates running for county offices. The event will take place at the Izaak Walton League Lodge on Stagecoach Road in Ames starting at 4:30 p.m.

Barbecue pork as well as a vegetarian entrée will be served, along with side dishes and beverages.

Admission is by any donation at the door.

More information is available by calling Jan Bauer at 268-0313, or at StoryDems@yahoo.com.

For more on the incident, check out the Des Moines Register’s original article.,

“Brad Zaun’s record speaks for itself. This type of behavior isn’t acceptable from any elected official or candidate for public office,” said Iowa Democratic Party Executive Director Norm Sterzenbach. “We’re releasing this Web ad because voters in the 3rd Congressional District deserve to know Brad Zaun’s past and the character of the man who wants to represent them.”

According to a 2001 West Des Moines Police report, Brad Zaun’s ex-girlfriend accused him of harassing behavior and police were called to her house. The report shows Zaun pounded on her windows and doors, while yelling insulting names. This wasn’t the first time either, the report also stated Zaun had “come to her home uninvited several times within the past year” and that he “sounded intoxicated” when police arrived.

“Brad Zaun lacks the judgement and leadership experience to represent Iowans,” added Sterzenbach.

Source: The Des Moines Register, “Congressional candidate Brad Zaun told in ’01 to stay away from former girlfriend,” 8/19/10

“Governor Rendell’s lifetime of public service and dedication to the Democratic Party has made him one of our strongest and most outspoken voices, it is an honor to welcome him as our keynote speaker for the Jefferson Jackson Dinner,” said IDP Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “The Jefferson Jackson Dinner is always a great opportunity for Iowa Democrats to hear from our great leaders from across the nation and build support for the Party. This year Governor Rendell will help us prepare to reelect Governor Culver and send Roxanne Conlin to the Senate as we build on our past success.”

The IDP’s annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner has welcomed many national political figures, most recently hosting Vice President Joe Biden in 2009. For more information about the Dinner visit http://iowademocrats.org/JJ.

“The people of the 5th District deserve an open debate between Steve King and Matt Campbell. They have earned the right to hear from both candidates in a fair and public setting and Steve King is proudly standing in the way of that,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “Surely a four-term Congressman like Steve King is capable of debating the issues, the only question is why he feels his constituents don’t deserve the chance to make an informed decision in this election.”

While King has repeatedly dodged debate requests, when asked again by Matt Campbell today at a town hall in Sioux City he said “no” and went on to argue that debate is not necessary to the political process, saying “I don’t know where that rule is written.” Since taking office in 2003 King has avoided a single, formal debate with his opponents.

“It’s disappointing that Steve King, who never misses an opportunity to comment on an issue, is hiding from a real debate with his opponent. The people of the 5th District deserve better, Matt Campbell will be a strong voice for hard working families across the district” added Dvorsky

Matt Campbell won the Democratic nomination after a competitive primary earlier this year and has earned the endorsement of prominent figures including U.S. Senator Tom Harkin and the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.