Local Races Decided Without Contest
The results of the 2016 General Election are written out on Mahaska County’s iconic chalk board.
Mahaska County, Iowa – Voters streamed to the polls on Tuesday, as voters cast their ballot for who they believed would best represent them in the future.
Locally, there was nearly no contested race, with the lone exception of Larry Sheets (R), Levi Grenko (D) and Garrett W. Byrd (L) in House District 80.
Sheets won re-election with 60.8% of the vote, while Grenko obtained 35.6%. Byrd garnered 3.5%.
For House District 79, Guy Vander Linden (R) ran unopposed, as did Ken Rozenboom (R), for Senate District 40.
The Iowa Senate changed hands, swinging from Democrat control to Republican control with at least 6 seats changing hands.
The biggest upset came to Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstol (D).
The Iowa House will remain strongly held by Republicans, where the number of Republicans will total 59 to the Democrats 41.
In Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, Dave Loebsack (D) defeated Republican Christopher Peters with 53.6% of the vote.
Iowa’s longtime Senator Chuck Grassley won with 60.1% of the vote over Democrat Patty Judge.
Mahaska County Supervisor, Sheriff and Auditor races were uncontested. Mark Groenendyk won for Mahaska County Supervisor. Sue Brown wins another term as Auditor, while Russell Van Renterghem will serve as the next Sheriff of Mahaska County.
Arvin DeBoef won Director District 4 for the North Mahaska School District.
The rural 1% sales tax passed in the rural portions of the county and the community of Fremont.
Groenendyk spoke with Oskaloosa News about the results of the election, and where he intends to start as he transitions into office.
Groenendyk who is holding his first public office said he intends to learn the entire process of the county government. Groenendyk talked about the looming budget process that greets elected officials at the start of the year, and can be a daunting task for someone who is fresh to an office.
Groenendyk said he decided to run because he was frustrated by the “dishonesty coming out of the office. I was tired of going to the [Supervisor’s] office, being told one thing, and the votes another on Monday morning. I’m hoping to bring some honesty, transparency, and openness when individuals come into the office and talk”.
Groenendyk says that roads are on the top of his list when he gets into office. “I’m hoping to work with the county engineer, the county employees and figure out a more efficient way of taking care of what we have to, so we have more time for maintenance”.
When it comes to the divide that opened up between rural and city residents of the county, Groenendyk says that when it comes to county agencies, “county agencies serve the entire county. That’s everyone in the county”.
Oskaloosa News then caught up with incoming Sheriff Russell Van Renterghem, and asked him about his thoughts on the evening, and the work he has getting prepared to take over from outgoing Sheriff Paul DeGeest.
“This is not something that was a spur of the moment decision this year,” said Van Renterghem of his run for office.
Van Renterghem said that he and his wife have discussed the decision for several years. “It’s a goal of mine. I just felt the time was right this year.”
After the primary, Van Renterghem started to take steps to become more familiar with the office of sheriff. Van Renterghem explained that he reached out to DeGeest during the past few months for guidance. “Paul’s been very helpful to me.”
Van Renterghem said that the two agreed they wanted to make the transition as easy as possible, “Not only for me [Van Renterghem] but for all the employees as well.”
Van Renterghem took a moment to address the employees of the sheriff’s office. “I just ask them to please be patient with me. There’s a transition period. There’s a learning curve.”
For the public, Van Renterghem said anyone is welcome to come and talk with him at the office, or while he’s out working the county roads. “When the administration duties are done, I’m out on the road. So anybody’s welcome to flag me down anytime.”
