• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Health / Medicine / Iowa Democratic Party chair resigns to focus on treatment for tumor (audio)

Iowa Democratic Party chair resigns to focus on treatment for tumor (audio)

June 9, 2010 By Dar Danielson

The chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party announced his resignation today in an emotional meeting with reporters. Michael Kiernan says a personal health issue made him decided to step down. “I noticed in late January, a lump below my right ear,” Kiernan explained, “after a battery of tests I have been diagnosed with a tumor in the deep lobe of my saliva gland. I will be treated at the University of Iowa Hospitals.”

The 35-year-old Kiernan says he won’t know his long-term prognosis until he has more treatment. “It’s a road that I have to now get on to find out exactly, I don’t know all the details, I know that it will require surgery. I have had several positive signs that it is not cancer, but until they do the surgery, I will not know for sure,” Kiernan says.

A number of high-level staff members have left the governor’s office and his campaign operation in recent months. His chief of staff, campaign manager, communications director and press secretary have all left within the past two months. Kiernan says that’s why he decided to go against the governor’s advice and reveal the nature of his illness.

“Because of the speculation of the people (who) have left the campaign for various in the past…another person stepping aside without an explanation, just couldn’t happen,” Kiernan said. He says he understands the nature of politics, but says “people are quick to judge without the facts much of the time.”

Kiernan says he would rather stay in the fight, but has to step down to focus on his family and personal health. He says it has been a “great honor” to lead the Democratic Party. Kiernan’s successor will be chosen Thursday evening.

Kiernan was elected to the position in February of 2009. Kiernan ran Governor Culver’s campaign for Secretary of State before serving two terms as an at-large Councilman in Des Moines. He was born and raised in Madison County, Iowa, and is married to WHO-TV anchor Erin Kiernan.

Listen to Michael Kiernan’s entire remarks here:
Kiernan news conference 5:46 MP3

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Health / Medicine, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Chet Culver, Democratic Party

Featured Stories

All bodies of missing now recovered from rubble of collapsed Davenport building

Governor signs child care expansion into law

Iowa seniors have until July 1 to apply for new property tax break

Smoke from distant fires creates colorful sunrise in Iowa

DOT’s Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division to merge into State Patrol

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Hawkeye women to play Virginia Tech

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 6/5/23

Iowa eliminated at NCAA regional

Iowa names Beth Goetz interim AD

Cyclone Trio Invited to USA Basketball U19 Training Camp

More Sports

Archives

Copyright © 2023 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC