Sheriff, Supervisor Nominees Decided
Russ Van Renterghem (left in white shirt) and his wife Beth watch election returns come in at the Mahaska County Courthouse on Tuesday night.
Both winners surpass 35% threshold
OSKALOOSA- Mahaska County voters let their voices be known Tuesday as they overwhelmingly nominated Russ Van Renterghem for Sheriff and Mark Groenendyk for Supervisor. While initially thought to be close races, Van Renterghem and Groenendyk both won overwhelmingly, and avoided the need for a special county nominating convention. If no candidate in either of the races had received 35% of the vote, the nomination would have been sent to a county convention to decide.
County Sheriff
Russ Van Renterghem received 1,601 votes in Tuesday’s primary election. His vote total accounted for 50% of the total votes cast. Van Renterghem won resoundingly in most precincts in the county, including all four city wards in Oskaloosa, as well as the absentee ballots. Randy Poe finished second in the primary with 993 votes, or 31% of the total vote. Poe was victorious in the Adams/Monroe/Pleasant Grove, Black Oak/Scott, and the Prairie/Richland township voting locations. Trevor Wells finished third with 345 votes, accounting for 11% of the total votes cast. Rounding out the field was Doug McMillan, who received 295 votes, or 9% of the total votes cast.
Democrats did not field a candidate for County Sheriff for this year’s primary election. Current Sheriff Paul DeGeest, a democrat who was first elected to the position in 2004, has announced that he will retire at the end of his current term.
County Supervisor
The race for Supervisor also ended Tuesday evening with a Republican nominee. Mark Groenendyk received 1,763 votes in the primary, accounting for 56% of the total votes cast. Groenendyk won in every single precinct as well as the absentee votes. Finishing in second was Valinn McReynolds who received 591 votes, or 19% of the total votes cast. Crystal Jimenez-Boender was the third place finisher in Tuesday’s primary, earning 440 votes, which was 14% of the total votes cast. Rounding out the field of candidates was Randy Binns with 349 votes, or 11% of the total votes cast.
Democrats also did not field a candidate for County Supervisor in this year’s election.
Current County Supervisor Mike Vander Molen, a Republican, did not seek a second term this year. Vander Molen was elected in 2012, defeating former State Senator Tom Rielly.
The results from Tuesday’s primary election will remain unofficial until canvassed by the Board of Supervisors.
Russell Van Renterghem
For a reaction from both winning candidates, check out videos below.
Mark Groenendyk
