Election 2024: Warme, Barker win big as Story County results finally come in | News, Sports, Jobs

It took longer than anticipated, however about 18 hours after the polls closed, the total election outcomes from Story County have been lastly posted to the Iowa Secretary of State’s web site, confirming that Republicans will maintain all three Marshall County legislative seats when the following session begins in January.

In Senate District 26, which incorporates all of Marshall County and most of Story County outdoors of Ames, Republican Kara Warme of rural Ames prevailed over Democrat Mike Wolfe of rural Maxwell after receiving 17,945 of the 30,107 votes forged throughout each counties (59.6 p.c). Warme, who serves because the chief improvement officer at YSS, received a contested main over Senate staffer Gannon Hendrick of McCallsburg again in June, and she is going to now substitute retiring Sen. Jeff Edler (R-State Middle).

“I’m so grateful to the voters of Marshall County for entrusting me with this chance to serve you within the Iowa Senate. It’s been a privilege attending to know households and companies throughout the county. An enormous thanks to the numerous volunteers, donors, and signal hosts who helped unfold our optimistic imaginative and prescient of preserving Iowa for future generations,” Warme mentioned. “I believe we’re all glad for the campaigning to finish and the true work to start. I’m trying ahead to continued partnerships throughout the district and to showcasing our strengths and success tales to drive extra alternatives statewide.”

Brett Barker, a pharmacist who presently serves because the mayor of Nevada, additionally received his race in Home District 51, which covers about ¾ of Marshall County outdoors of Marshalltown and the southeast quadrant together with the identical swath of Story County because the Senate district. Barker obtained 11,256 of the 17,998 votes forged (62.54 p.c) and defeated Democrat Ryan Condon of Nevada, a Nationwide Guard veteran who works for the state’s Well being and Human Providers (HHS) division.

He’ll substitute retiring Rep. Dave Deyoe (R-Nevada), who had served within the Home since 2006.

“We labored actually exhausting beginning a 12 months in the past to get to each nook of the district, and I used to be in a position to get in entrance of 15,000 voters at their doorways. And I knew the exhausting work was gonna repay,” Barker mentioned. “I’ve been working for a very long time right here locally, have a report to face on and was in a position to meet a variety of voters. So I felt actually good going into it, and I’m grateful that they rewarded our exhausting work.”

Along with reaching numerous voters, the incoming consultant felt he was in a position to “ignore the noise” and run a clear race, enabling he and Warme to outperform President-elect Donald Trump and Rep. Randy Feenstra on the ticket in many of the precincts inside HD51. As he heads to Des Moines, Barker goals to give attention to healthcare and financial improvement.

“I’m identified for being a practical voice — somebody who listens and learns after which takes a place on issues, and I believe that can serve me properly within the legislature,” he mentioned.

To the east in Home District 53, incumbent Rep. Dean Fisher (R-Montour) secured one other time period over upstart challenger Tommy Hexter, a 25-year-old Democrat from Grinnell. Within the district, which covers about ¾ of Tama County outdoors of the northeast nook and all of Poweshiek County, Fisher obtained 8,877 votes (56.88 p.c) to Hexter’s 6,729 votes (43.12 p.c).

Fisher, who was first elected in 2012, instructed the T-R he was “honored and humbled” that voters had chosen him as soon as once more.

“Tommy labored exhausting on the race, however on the finish of the day, I believe my expertise and my values are what received the day, and I’m simply trying ahead to getting again to Des Moines and getting again at it,” he mentioned.

As soon as he returns, two of Fisher’s high priorities will probably be pushing for additional property tax reform and resuming his ongoing effort to strike gender id from the Iowa Civil Rights Code.

“We preserve urgent that challenge. I believe it’s changing into increasingly apparent that we’ve gotta get that completed with a purpose to defend our daughters and girls,” he mentioned.

Conversely, Hexter mentioned he usually felt good in regards to the final result.

“I believe the outcomes are very strong. My benchmark was 40% on the whole. The final Democratic challenger received in between 42-43 p.c,” he mentioned. “Getting over 40 p.c for my first marketing campaign was encouraging.”

Tama County elects first feminine supervisor

Historical past was made in Tama County on Tuesday when voters elected a girl to the board of supervisors for the primary time ever.

Working unopposed on the Nov. 5 normal election poll for Tama County Supervisor District 3, Heather Knebel, a 35-year-old Republican from rural Traer, sailed to victory in her race with 1,645 votes.

When contacted Tuesday night for remark, Supervisor-elect Knebel was overjoyed however remained humble in her response.

“Thanks a lot to everybody that supported me this final 12 months throughout my marketing campaign!” Knebel mentioned. “Between the type phrases, donations, placing out indicators, and getting out to vote. I’m perpetually grateful. I thank God for this chance. I’m excited for January so I can get to work representing the individuals! Thanks all!!”

Knebel’s district contains the communities of Gladbrook and Traer whereas encompassing the townships of Spring Creek, Crystal, and Perry plus elements of far northern Carlton (excluding Garwin) and Howard. The seat is a two-year time period.

Throughout the June 4 main election, Knebel defeated Republicans Eli Hoskey of Toledo and Robert ‘Bob’ Vokoun of Gladbrook for her celebration’s nomination with 64.4% of the vote. With no Democratic candidate on the poll in both the first or normal, Knebel all however ensured a trailblazing end result on Tuesday.

Forty-seven years in the past, Republican Jean Kruse of Traer grew to become the primary lady to serve on the Tama County Board of Supervisors after she was appointed to fill a emptiness ensuing from the sudden passing on Oct. 11, 1977, of then-District 1 Supervisor Robert Chilly.

On the time of her appointment, Kruse was a 36-year-old mom and small enterprise proprietor. Kruse endorsed Knebel – additionally a younger mom and small enterprise proprietor – in her personal District 3 race forward of the June main this 12 months.

District 3 is one among 5 new Tama County supervisor seats. Throughout the November 2022 midterm election, voters overwhelmingly handed a public measure to maneuver the county from a three-member board to a five-member board – a type of authorities the county has not utilized since 1934. The general public measure was positioned on the Nov. 2022 poll because of a petition drive organized by members of Tama County Towards Generators (TCAT).

Elsewhere within the county Tuesday night, Republican incumbent Curt Hilmer of Dysart was reelected to District 1 for a second time period after operating unopposed; Republican David Turner of Tama, additionally operating unopposed, was elected in District 2; Republican Mark Doland of rural Toledo narrowly beat Democrat Berleen Wobeter of rural Toledo by 43 votes in a bruising race for the District 4 seat; and Republican Curt Kupka of Chelsea handily beat Democrat Bruce Lenhart of rural Tama for the District 5 seat.

At presstime, Doland had not responded to a request for remark. Wobeter mirrored on the race in an announcement shared with the T-R.

“After I picked up my nomination papers for the June main I used to be unsure of what was to return however keen to fulfill the problem,” she mentioned. “It’s disappointing to lose by so few votes however I’ve completely no regrets and have been given a lot greater than the numbers point out. Campaigning means stepping out in unfamiliar methods with the wealthy reward of latest relationships. Family and friends supported my efforts in methods I didn’t anticipate however so gratefully acknowledge. ‘You don’t know your group till you see who opens the door’ is my treasured new slogan. And my perpetually and at all times ‘good’ husband was my rock.”

Whereas Wobeter didn’t rule out operating once more and/or attending future board of supervisor conferences, she mentioned she is presently uncertain of the trail forward following defeat.

“I believe it may also be precious to look at how varied guarantees made by supervisor candidates play out within the boardroom. There are sure to be some fascinating new dynamics and even potential costly litigation ought to sure choices be made,” she mentioned in seemingly reference to the incoming board’s strongly anti-wind turbine place. “Hopefully work will proceed with respect and dedication.”

Additionally on Tuesday, Republican Karen Rohrs of Toledo – the county’s deputy auditor/elections administrator – received her race for Tama County Auditor after operating unopposed, whereas Republican Casey Schmidt of Dysart – additionally operating unopposed – received his race for Tama County Sheriff. Schmidt beforehand breezed to victory throughout the June 4 main by taking practically 54% of the vote share in a three-way race in opposition to detectives Lucas Dvorak of Gladbrook and Trevor Killian of Toledo. Rohrs will substitute retiring Auditor Laura Kopsa (D-Tama), whereas Schmidt replaces retiring Sheriff Dennis Kucera (R-Traer).

A direct poll initiative particular to all Tama County voters handed with overwhelming assist. The measure to make EMS a necessary service of the county and create a 75 cent levy to fund this system garnered assist from 76.6 p.c of voters, with 6,044 in favor and simply 1,842 opposed.

Elsewhere within the higher T-R protection space, Republican Hardin County Supervisor BJ Hoffman received one other time period over Democratic challenger Lisa Lawler after receiving 3,492 of the 5,141 votes forged (67.92 p.c) whereas Sheriff Dave McDaniel ran unopposed for re-election. Republican Jolene Pieters additionally ran unopposed for county auditor, and Rep. Josh Meggers (R-Grundy Middle) received an uncontested race to serve one other time period within the Iowa Home.

In Grundy County, Republicans LJ Kopsa of District 1, Vic Vandehaar of District 3 and Jeff Pabst of District 5 all received seats on the Board of Supervisors operating unopposed. Kopsa, who hails from rural Beaman, narrowly received a June main over fellow Republican Shane Jacobson and can substitute Lucas Halverson. Halverson grew to become one of many youngest supervisors in county historical past when he received his seat in 2020 and isn’t in search of re-election. Republican Auditor Alan Tscherter and Sheriff Kirk Dolleslager each received re-election operating unopposed.