Some interesting races for State office in western Iowa
November 5th, 2014 by Ric Hanson
While most eyes were focused on the race for Congress during Tuesday’s General Election, there were some results involving candidates for the Iowa Legislature that became interesting, as well. The Omaha-World Herald reports Republican Jack Drake, who has held the seat for 22 years, will have at least one more term in District 21. Drake successfully defended his seat against Tim Ennis, a Democrat from Corning. Ennis had attempted to make Drake’s years of experience an issue against him in the race, but it didn’t stick: Drake received slightly more than 64 percent of the vote. In House District 20, Greenfield Republican incumbent and former State Trooper Clel Baulder received nearly 60-percent of the vote in defeating challenger Steve Roe, a Democrat from Lake Panorama.
In House District 12, Brian Best, a Republican from Glidden, defeated incumbent Dan Muhlbauer, a Democrat from Manilla. Gun control had become an issue in the race. Both candidates also had spoken of the need to address rural infrastructure.
The House District 15 race in Carter Lake and parts of Council Bluffs was decided by a slim margin. Democrat Charlie McConkey narrowly beat out Republican John Blue for a seat currently held by outgoing Rep. Mark Brandenburg, who is running for Pottawattamie County recorder. In Council Bluffs’ House District 16, incumbent Rep. Mary Ann Hanusa, a Republican, handily beat Marti Nerenstone, a Democrat.
In House District 17, which includes Missouri Valley, incumbent Rep. Matt Windschitl, a Republican, defeated Kenneth Mertes, an Onawa Democrat, by winning nearly 71-percent of the votes cast. In House District 18, Republican Steven Holt beat out fellow political newcomer and Democrat Paul Thelen for the seat around Denison.