Former Councilman Andy Fritz returned to the Fort Dodge City Council Monday, being appointed to fill a vacancy after a few residents objected on the grounds that he is a member of the Satanic Temple.

Fritz described himself as a “card-carrying member” of the Satanic Temple and added that temple members do not worship supernatural beings.

In a packed City Council meeting room, Fritz read what he said are the seven tenets of the temple, the first of which is, “One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason.” The tenets Fritz read match those listed on the Satanic Temple website.

Fritz said he was a temple member when he last served on the council two years ago and his beliefs were not an issue then.

He was appointed to fill the vacancy created when former Councilman Neven Conrad resigned Oct. 11 to become the Humboldt County magistrate. Iowa’s rules on judicial conduct prohibit judges from holding political office.

The term Fritz was appointed to complete will expire at the end of 2023.

The five council members present Monday voted unanimously twice to appoint Fritz, who had previously served on the council for 10 years. For eight of those years, he was an at-large member and for two of those years he represented Ward 2.

Councilman Kim Alstott presided over the meeting in the absence of both Mayor Matt Bemrich and Councilman Dave Flattery, who is the mayor pro-tem.

The other councilmembers who voted to appoint Fritz were Quennel McCaleb, Terry Moehnke, Cameron Nelson and Lydia Schuur.

Alstott initially called for a vote without asking for public comment. The council voted unanimously to appoint Fritz.

Then Alstott opened the floor for public comment.

Ed Touney, who identified himself as a resident of Ward 4, was the first to address the council. He said that Conrad was democratically elected.

“I think an election — a democratic process — should take place,” he said.

Richard Higgins, a Fort Dodge resident who has run for council several times in the past, said he is circulating a petition to trigger a special election to fill the council vacancy.

But Fritz’s membership in the Satanic Temple generated much of the public comment.

Dean Davis, of Fort Dodge, said he is concerned about how in his opinion the entire country is going in a negative direction. He said it is important to follow Biblical principles.

“I don’t think it’s right to have him chosen by the council,” Davis said. “I feel that we need to stand up for moral principles that come straight from the Bible.”

Another Fort Dodge resident, Chris Larson, told the council “we’re just expressing our beliefs.” He said the vacancy should be filled via a special election even if it costs more money.

The cost of a special election has been estimated at $20,000.

Fort Dodge resident Judy Davis also spoke against the appointment based on Fritz’s temple membership.

Fritz addressed the council, reading the seven tenets. He described himself as a “recovering Catholic” who had to overcome his fears to even become interested in the temple.

His remarks brought Dean Davis back to the microphone.

“He admitted that he is a part of this,” Davis said. “The devil is pure evil.”

He asserted that the Satanic Temple has a program to convert school age children.

“We as Christains have to stand up,” he said. “This is evil.”

Councilmembers defended their decision to appoint Fritz based on his previous experience.

“Andy does not worship the devil,” Schuur said. “I find it sad that we are at this point.”

Alstott said he “thought long and hard about this.”

“I have sat with Andy on the council and I have never seen Andy do anything negative,” he said.

He said refusing to appoint Fritz because of his temple membership would be a form of prejudice not unlike that held by people who did not want John F. Kennedy to become president because he was Catholic.

“If we say no, what other group will we say no to next?'” he said. “A person in this country has the right to believe what they want to believe.”

Moehnke said the freedom of religion is established in this county as is the separation of church and state.

“Andy is the best choice to fill the spot at this time,” he said.

After the public comment period. Alstott called for a second vote and Fritz was again appointed by a unanimous vote.

Dawn Siebken, the deputy city clerk, then administered the oath of office and Fritz took his place at the council table. The initial plan was for him to take the oath during the Nov. 14 council meeting.

Fritz will hold the council seat until the term expires next year. If a special election is prompted by a petition, Fritz would still hold the seat until the winner of that vote is sworn into office. A special election cannot be held until late February or early March of next year.

After the meeting, Fritz said he is not concerned about the prospect of a special election.

“I used the platform to educate people on who Andy Fritz is and how Andy Fritz leads his life,” he said. “The way they portrayed what the Satanic Temple is about is not correct. I encourage people to do their research.”

“I think my reputation as a City Council member is why I was selected to come back regardless of my faith structure,” he added.