FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2026
CONTACT: Katie Biechler, kbiechler@iowacci.org, (515) 450-6619
Ashlie Sveum, Independent for Mitchell County, falls short by just 58 votes
Local CCI Action Fund members celebrate steps taken to challenge business as usual politics
Osage, Iowa – Last night, Ashlie Sveum, a CCI Action endorsed candidate, fell short of winning a tight race for Mitchell County Board of Supervisors by only 58 votes.
CCI Action endorsed Sveum, who was challenging the business-as-usual agenda of Democratic incumbent Todd Frein after growing concerns from locals about Frein catering to Summit Carbon Solutions and limiting public input at supervisors meeting.
Sveum, a first-time candidate, ran on a platform to put the local people before extractive industries like the CO2 pipeline and data centers, as well as increasing opportunities for public input.
“This campaign wasn’t about Democrats or Republicans – it was about who government works for. When it doesn’t work for everyday people, it needs to be challenged, regardless of political party. We helped focus our county on the need to be involved in the decisions about our resources – especially about things like the CO2 pipeline and data centers,” said Pat Mackin, a CCI Action Fund member from Osage.
Sveum’s bid for the seat was sparked by opposition to Summit Carbon Solution’s CO2 pipeline which had plans to build over 30 miles of pipe across Mitchell County. In June of 2026, Summit announced it was pulling its plan from 8 counties, including Mitchell.
“While we’re happy Summit won’t be building in our backyards anymore, we know it won’t be the last time an extractive industry comes knocking at our door. This campaign is not over. We’re going to continue organizing around the issues Ashlie ran on. Democracy only works when people are involved, and we’re going to continue fighting to protect the people and places we love,” said Osage resident and CCI Action Fund member Penney Morse.