Brink Clinches Republican Nod For District 80

Holly Brink (center) and her family work their phones to get the latest returns during Tuesday’s primary election.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Sitting on the steps outside of the Mahaska County Courthouse, Holly Brink anxiously awaited updates on election returns for District 80.

The lead for Brink at one time was a slim 7 votes, and the nerves were on edge.

Brink, from Oskaloosa, was taking on a tough contender from Appanoose County, Richard Keilig.

Eventually, after nearly an hour of nervous waiting, the phone call came in that put Brink in front without question. Brink had 934 to Keilig’s 791.

Mahaska County was Brink’s stronghold, while Appanoose was Keilig’s. Monroe County was the decisive player in the evening.

Looking at the months ahead as Brink prepares to take on Democrat nominee Susan McDaniel in November. “I think it’s going to be doing what I’ve been doing every day for the last few months, getting out on the streets in front of everybody.”

Brink spoke about all the time she spent on gravel roads that lead her to places “I didn’t even know existed, and it was amazing. And the people that I’ve met. It’s been an amazing journey.”

Brink says there are multiple issues that she intends to continue bringing forward during the campaign. “I think that’s an extremely important thing, to be able to have multiple issues that I have stands on.”