A man from Montgomery County was nominated Saturday, as the Democratic candidate in a special election to fill the Iowa Senate District 12 seat vacated by Joni Ernst. District 12 includes Fremont, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Ringgold and Taylor Counties. Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, resigned her office on Nov. 28, following her election Nov. 4 to the United States Senate. Steve Adams, of Red Oak, was selected during the Democratic convention at the Lied Public Library in Clarinda. The Omaha World-Herald reports Adams was chosen over Glenwood City Council member Craig Florian.

Adams is employed by the Iowa State University Extension Service in the community and economic development unit. He is involved in work to create and expand small business operations and participates in projects implemented by strategic planning and facilitation groups. If elected to the Iowa General Assembly, he said, his focus would be on economic development.

Adams has served as legislative co-chair of the Southwest Iowa Coalition for the past 16 years and has been on the group’s board for more than 20 years. In 2004 he ran unsuccessfully against Republican Cecil Dolecheck of Mount Ayr for a seat in the Iowa House.

State Rep. Mark Costello of Imogene is the Republican candidate in the Dec. 30th election. Costello was selected at the GOP convention, on Thursday. Don Brantz of Glenwood reportedly is planning to enter the race as a Libertarian candidate.