Incumbents Cruise To New Terms In Oskaloosa

Jeff Lorentzen (left) and Dave Krutzfeldt shake hands after the results of the mayor race were announced.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The 2017 municipal elections are in the books, and Oskaloosa voters said they are happy with the direction the city is going.

Oskaloosa Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt was facing a challenge this time around from Oskaloosa High School teacher Jeff Lorentzen.

Lorentzen was in his first race for any political office and said, “I guess to lose and have it relatively close, that’s a good feeling.”

Lorentzen said that he would like to run for office again in the future.
He added that the experience during this election would help make him more comfortable the next time.

Oskaloosa Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt has now won his fifth mayoral election and believes that the community supported him because “We’re doing a number of things we think is making the town a better place to live and helping us to grow. But the confirmation comes from the voters themselves.”

With the ballots cast and the numbers from the voters coming in, Krutzfeldt called it “humbling for that moment of truth where you’re waiting for the public to tell you. Then it is just a great sense of gratitude that I feel that people said yes, you’re doing the right things.”

“I humbly say thank you back to the people who were willing to vote for us, and help us stay the course,” added Krutzfeldt.

Former Oskaloosa school board member Charlie Comfort was looking to join the Oskaloosa City Council but ultimately fell short to the incumbents of Tom Walling and Scottie Moore.

“The citizens of Oskaloosa have spoken. I respect their decision,” said Comfort. “Obviously I’m disappointed by the results, but we gave it the best we could. I congratulate Tom and Scottie on their victory tonight and wish them well over the next four years.”

Comfort said he will still be involved in the community.

Wyatt Russell came up short in his second bid for a seat on the city council. “I knew it was going to be an uphill battle going against two incumbents that have been on the council for eight years. They are both upstanding members of the community.”

“It was way more cordial this go ’round than it was four years ago,” said Russell of his previous bid for city council.

That election four years ago was hotly contested due to the debate surrounding the regional airport. This time “there weren’t any threats made and stuff like that,” added Russell. “It wasn’t a one topic year. We were able to talk about multiple topics.”

Unofficial results for Oskaloosa are as follows:

Mayor
David Krutzfeldt – 576 (56.30%)
Jeff Lorentzen – 445 (43.50%)

City Council At-Large
Scottie Moore – 659 (33.93%)
Tom Walling – 561 (28.89%)
Charlie Comfort – 422 (21.73%)
Wyatt Russell – 294 (15.14%)

1st Ward City Council
Diane Ottosson – 141 (100.00%)

3rd Ward City Council
Doug Yates – 238 (97.54%)

All results are unofficial until certified.