About
Located in west-central Iowa, the Monona County Democrats represent over 2,100 registered democrats in Monona County. Precinct committee persons are elected in even numbered years at precinct caucuses and serve on the county central committee -- the county party's governing body. Party members help recruit candidates for office, work to get them elected, and become involved in the governing process by contributing to the development of County, District, State and National party platforms.
The Monona County Democrats meet the second Thursday of each month at alternating locations throughout Monona County. Everyone is invited to attend, although only Central Committee members may vote on matters before the committee.
Iowa consists of 99 counties, with Iowa's 5th Congressional District made up of 32 western counties from Minnesota to Missouri. Monona County has 11 precincts.
Democratic precinct committee persons are elected in even-numbered years at precinct caucuses. Precinct committee persons serve on the county central committee, which is the policy-making body of the county party.
Current Monona County Democratic officers are as follows:
- Ken Mertes, Chair
- Steve Pratt, Vice Chair
- Tena Hinkel, Secretary
- Dennis Ryan, Treasurer
MCD Central Committee members are listed by precinct, and were elected to office on January 23, 2010. Find a current listing here.
About Monona County
The name Monona County (701 square miles) is thought to be of Indian origin, but its exact meaning is not known. Some believe it means “Peaceful Valley” or “Beautiful Valley.” Others say the name Monona belonged to an Indian maiden, who — believing her own tribesmen killed her white lover — committed suicide by jumping from a high cliff into the Mississippi River. Some authorities suggest the county was named after a town in Clayton County at the suggestion of Eliphalet Price, a representative from Clayton County in the Third General Assembly.
Established in 1851, the county’s business was first transacted at the Mormon village Preparation in Spring Valley Township, where many first settlements developed. When Ashton (originally called Bloomfield) was named as county seat in the fall of 1854, a log house served as the first courthouse. Ashton remained the county seat for only four years.
Following an election, a frame courthouse was built in Onawa during the summer of 1858 at a cost of about $7000, and county records transferred to the new location. Despite attempts made from 1861 through 1889 to move the county seat to Belvidere, Arcola, and East Mapleton, each contest in its turn ended in Onawa's favor.
 Monona County Courthouse
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In 1891, Omaha's S.E. Maxon and Company began work on a new Romanesque brick building to be constructed on the same site as the current courthouse. Maxon's company finished the structure in 1892, complete with a gabled roof surmounted by a tower. A one-story addition was built on the courthouse's west side in 1967, and another on the east side in 1973.
After condemning the old jail, Monona County joined with the City of Onawa to construct a new law enforcement center — including jail facilities — which opened in September 1974.
An annex for court facilities was built in 1980 and dedicated in 1981. The new courtroom included the original judge's restored bench, furniture and fixtures. Other courthouse additions and modifications included a third floor to house the Department of Human Services and a remodeled basement annex to house the county health nurses and the magistrate court.