Mary Pieper

Republican candidates for state and federal office spoke at the inaugural Lincoln Dinner fundraiser, organized by the Cerro Gordo County GOP, Thursday at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake.

Many of them talked about Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA who was fatally shot last week during an appearance on Sept. 10 at a college campus in Utah.

"We're dedicating this campaign to Charlie," said Joe Mitchell of Clear Lake, U.S. House, Iowa Congressional District 2 candidate.

Mitchell, 28, became one of the youngest people ever elected to the Iowa Legislature in 2018. He said he met Kirk the following year at an event in Des Moines the following year.

Kirk invited Mitchell to speak at Turning Point USA events around the country and helped him f

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