Voters Help Determine The November Landscape
Joni Ernst defeated 4 of her fellow Republicans in the open US Senate seat. (file photo)
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The voters around the State of Iowa and Mahaska County headed to the polls on Tuesday, June 3rd to help set the political landscape that will make up the general election in November.
Henry “Willie” Van Weelden and Mark Doland each scored enough of the votes to break the 35% needed to avoid a county convention that would have decided the race in November.
Van Weelden said Tuesday night, after the results, that he intended to continue talking with people about the issues facing Mahaska County.
Van Weelden lost to Mike Vander Molen during the 2012 primary, but sees the result of Tuesday night’s election as a positive. “You know, I guess the voters could have completely rejected me,” said Van Weelden. “So there are people out there that have confidence in me.”
Before his defeat in 2012, Van Weelden had served Mahaska County for 12 years as a Supervisor before allegations of wrong doing complicated his re-election bid. Van Weelden was cleared of all charges.
“I appreciate it very much,” said Van Weelden, speaking of those who supported him.
Mark Doland, who is a current Mahaska County Supervisor, was elected to fill the remainder of Ken Rozenboom’s term after Rozenboom was elected to the Iowa Senate. Doland squeaked out a victory over former State Senator Tom Riley in that election.
“Congratulations to Joe Warrick and Willie Van Weelden on running a gentlemanly campaign,” said Doland Tuesday night. “I look forward to representing the Republican Party alongside of Willie for the general election this fall.”
In the Federal Congressional race for District 2, Mariannette Miller-Meeks defeated Mark S. Lofgren for the chance to square off against Dave Loebsack. Miller-Meeks held the lead all night, and spoke confidently about her upcoming campaign against her opponent.
Miller-Meeks said she was starting off early Wednesday morning on the campaign trail, as she is scheduled to join Governor Terry Branstad in Oskaloosa at Smokey Row. Branstad will be officially kicking off his general election campaign against Democrat Jack Hatch.
Mahaska County Board of Supervisors
Republican
Mark Doland – 976
Henry W. Van Weelden – 842
Joe Warrick – 553
Democrat
Jeff Foster – 104
