It may not be the most romantic Valentine’s Day excursion, but Saturday’s Democratic Winter Soup Supper will feature a jazz combo and appearances by two Iowa gubernatorial candidates.

Former state Supreme Court Justice Mark McCormick and state Sen. Tom Vilsack will both make speeches at the soup supper, which begins Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Collegiate United Methodist Church, 2622 W. Lincoln Way.

McCormick said his main priority is Iowa’s schools.

“The number one issue in the gubernatorial campaign is education — which candidate offers the better vision for education,” he said.

“It’s a pretty fundamental question about Iowa’s future,” McCormick said, “how we match our work force to the high-tech skilled jobs that are available and keep our educated people in this state to fill those jobs.”

He said he enjoys the relaxed atmosphere that campaign functions like the supper provide.

“I really enjoy more, just meeting and talking to people informally and just listening to what’s on their minds,” McCormick said.

Vilsack also said education is a priority, and he added that one of the most pressing problems is class size.

“We need more teachers, and we need to create incentives for kids being educated in Iowa to be teachers,” he said.

A forgivable loan program, which would cut debt for graduates who plan to teach, would accomplish that goal, Vilsack said.

Another project the former Mount Pleasant mayor mentioned was his “Food and Fiber Initiative.” He said Iowa should take a leading role in every step of the huge industrial machine that feeds the people.

He suggested that profits from state-run gambling be funneled from the general fund into a special allotment for “Centers of Excellence.” These centers, he said, would be scattered around the state at places like ISU and would do pioneering food-and-fiber research.

Also making remarks will be U.S. Senate candidates Dave Nagel and David Osterberg, who are running against each other in the Democratic primary for the right to try to unseat Sen. Charles Grassley.

The dinner will include a wide variety of soups, stews, breads, rolls and relishes.

After the meal, Bauer said, speeches will start around 7:30 p.m. and last approximately one hour.

In the past, the supper has featured guests such as U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell and ISU professor Steffen Schmidt.

Bauer added that time would also be provided for an audience question-and-answer session.

In addition, the Ken Jolls and Jim Bovinette Jazz Combo will supply some cool music, according to the brochure.

Also being held Saturday night is a celebrity dessert auction with outgoing state Rep. Bill Bernau.

On sale will be County Auditor Judy Emmons’ layered mint brownies, County Attorney Mary Richards’ chocolate meringue pie, County Sheriff Paul Fitzgerald’s “better than a Democratic grand slam” cake, and other treats from local Democratic.

The soup supper is open to the public. Tickets are available at the door, with a student price of $5. Tickets for the general public cost $17.

For more information or for advance tickets, which cost $15, call Jan Bauer at 292-3739.

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