Kinard, Hughes win Primary races
Nick Johansen
The Red Oak Express
Some key races were decided in Montgomery County’s Primary election June 5.
Two county offices were contested ahead of the November election, with Republicans Rudy Kinard and Roger Waggener seeking the Republican nomination in November for the vacant Montgomery County Supervisors seat in District One, and Republicans Tera Hughes and Jackie Porter vying for the Republican nomination for Montgomery County Treasurer.
Based on the unofficial final results from the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office, it was Kinard winning the Republican nomination, with 179 votes to Waggener’s 29 votes. Tera Hughes won the Republican nomination for the November ballot with 537 votes to Porter’s 292 votes.
Hughes spoke about the win following the election, and shared her feelings on the Primary win.
“I was humbly surprised to learn that I had won, let alone the final count. There was no way to know how the election would go but I was very pleased! I was and am overwhelmed with gratitude and extremely grateful to have had my family there to share that moment with,” said Hughes.
In the months leading up to the Primary, Hughes spoke about how she got out amongst the voters, and said she approached campaigning with 100 percent dedication.
I started by gathering information from the Auditor’s Office, Secretary of State, and the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board. From there I made myself familiar with the campaign rules and process. I created a Facebook event page which I made sure to update and share election information on regularly. I attended the Montgomery County Caucus, the Montgomery County and District Conventions – as a delegate, and in turn attended the Montgomery County Central Committee meetings,” Hughes said. “I joined the Montgomery County Republican Women – now known as the Southwestern Iowa Republican Women (and Men). I created the ‘Hughes for Treasurer Committee’ along with Treasurer – Sally Johnson. From there I put ads in the Red Oak Express and Extender, Villisca Review & Stanton Viking Paper, I spoke with several residents of the county, held a meet and greet at the Elks, had t-shirts and signs made…I really just went into this full-force with the advice and support of many relatives, friends and county residence. I feel all of those things, along with being a life-long resident and working with the public in the Montgomery County Treasurer’s Office for the last four years, secured the confidence of the voters and together won the election.”
Hughes also spoke about the next steps leading up to the general election in November.
“Moving into the next few months, I am going to continue being an active member of the community. I plan to walk in the Junction Days parade. I’m attending the Iowa State Convention June 16. I’m going to continue to make the campaign and election process a top priority, as it should be, and work hard to prove myself to residents of the county both in the office and within the community,” commented Hughes.
Hughes also expressed her appreciation to everyone who has been a part of the process and her victory.
“My family and friends have been incredibly supportive, the residents of Montgomery County have been very responsive, and have shown their confidence in me. None of this would be possible without all of those things. I’m extremely grateful for every vote, supportive comment, and encouraging message. I look forward to the General Election and the opportunity to serve as the next Montgomery County Treasurer,” said Hughes.
Kinard also spoke about his win in the Primary, saying securing the nomination was emotional for him.
“Whenever you win at anything that you’ve put in hard work for there is a certain level of emotion involved. Seeing people face-to-face added to the level of emotion,” Kinard said.
In the months leading up to the Primary, Kinard said he was working hard to get out amongst the county voters, which may have been a key to his victory.
“To know the true answer, one would have to ask the voters themselves. I knocked on a lot of doors throughout my district. I believe voters respect hard work. If you’re willing to work to get elected, you’ll work for them after being elected,” commented Kinard.
Kinard described his plans for the months leading up to the November general election.
“Each step has been a learning process. I will continue that learning process leading up to November by educating myself and by speaking to those that have already done what I’m trying to do,” said Kinard.
Kinard said he appreciated the support from his family, and the voters, leading up to the Primary.
“I appreciate those that supported me with words of encouragement, those that put my signs in their yard, and those that marked my name in the voting booth. Through God’s grace and mercy, I won’t let them down,” Kinard said.
One other contested race was between Red Oak City Council member Tony Wernicke, who was challenging David Sieck for the Republican nomination for District 23 State Representative. Sieck won the Primary race with 456 votes to Wernicke’s 136 votes. Sieck will face Chuck Larson, who won the Democratic nomination statewide, and received 218 votes in Montgomery County
The remaining county races in the Primary were uncontested. For Montgomery County Supervisor, District Two, Mike Olson received 126 votes. There were two write-in votes.
Mark Peterson received 165 votes for the Republican nomination for Montgomery County Supervisor, District Four. There was one write-in vote.
Carleen Bruning received 759 votes to secure the Republican nomination on the November ballot for Montgomery County Recorder. There were six write-in votes.
Republican Drew Swanson received 701 votes in the uncontested Primary race for County Attorney. There were 23 write-in votes.
Red Oak native John Norris won the Primary race for the Democratic nomination for Iowa Governor in Montgomery County, receiving 246 votes. Fred Hubbell earned 54 votes, Cathy Glasson 34 votes, Andy McGuire 14 votes, Nate Boulton five votes, Ross Wilburn two votes, and there was one write-in vote. While Norris won the Primary in Montgomery County, he fell short to Hubbell, who secured the nomination for Governor in the statewide results.
Republican incumbent Cecil Dolecheck secured the nomination in his uncontested race for with 172 votes. There were two write-in votes. He’ll face Democrat James Uhlenkamp, who received 61 votes in the Montgomery County Primary.
Incumbent David Young won his uncontested race for the Republican nomination for U.S. Representative, District Three, with 792 votes. There were six write-in votes. He’ll face Democratic challenger Cindy Axne, who secured the nomination in statewide results. Axne also won the Montgomery County Primary with 220 votes. Eddie Mauro received 57 votes, and Pete D’Alessandro received 45 votes,