Fifth in a series

WATERLOO - Steve Schmitt is a Republican. Buck Clark is a Democrat.

Voters won't see that on the ballot when they head to the polls Tuesday to decide which man will become Waterloo's next mayor. The job isn't considered a partisan position, and candidates in Iowa's municipal elections don't run as members of a political party's ticket.

But Reggie Schmitt, the odd man out of the runoff, blamed his poor showing in the Nov. 3 mayoral election on what he saw as a healthy dose of party politics injected into the campaign. "The most qualified independent never had a chance," he lamented on election night.

Steve Schmitt and Clark both said they don't believe the mayor's post should be partisan. But they appear to disagree whether a candidate should use their contacts in the party to help win next week's election.

"What have I done to make this partisan?" said Schmitt. "I don't think that's what this is about."

But he was quick to point out that three Democratic legislators - Sens. Bill Dotzler and Jeff Danielson and Rep. Deborah Berry - were making recorded phone calls to Waterloo voters on Nov. 3 encouraging support for Clark. And Vice President Joe Biden's sister, a prominent Democrat, came to Waterloo in October to stump for Clark's campaign.

"Never in the history of Waterloo has there been an organized political effort like what the Democratic party's doing in this campaign," Schmitt said.

At least none of the past four mayors - who all were registered Republicans - faced similar partisan opposition, he said.

But Clark said the Democratic Party is not involved in his campaign. And he said his relationships with local legislators and the vice president's family should be viewed as positives.

"I have, from the very beginning, told (voters) how I believe relationships, partnerships and coalitions are going to be one of the things that will help us get through tough times," Clark said. "It is not my fault that I have a lot of good friends in politics. It's also not my fault that they happen to be Democrats.

"I think it would be irresponsible of me if I didn't take advantage of those friendships that I have in government to try to get the best I possibly can for the city of Waterloo, and that includes myself," Clark said. "I absolutely don't see that as partisan politics."

Schmitt has connections with local GOP members after serving as chairman for the Black Hawk County Republicans for five years, stepping down after joining the City Council in 2008. He also previously ran, unsuccessfully, on the Republican ticket for county supervisor.

"If Steve is not using his connections in the Republican party, he should be," Clark said.