Ainsworth election to offer choices

AINSWORTH — Washington County’s municipal ballots promise to offer options this election, with Ainsworth’s mayoral race leading a slate of contests that will shape how several smaller communities in the county chart their future.

While most area towns feature uncontested fields, Ainsworth’s elections stand out for offering voters a real choice in both the mayor’s office and on the city council.

Incumbent Mayor Troy McCarthy faces two challengers for a four-year term: Derrick V. Stewart and Ronald A. Greiner. The contest has drawn attention not just for the number of candidates but for what it represents — a debate over how this small community of roughly 500 residents should balance tradition with change.

McCarthy is seeking another term after serving as Mayor of Ainsworth since his special appointment from council member in 2016. His campaign is anchored to a platform centered on “simplifying and improving the city’s operations” while promoting transparency and engagement.

The other candidates on the ballot this election are familiar names to many in Ainsworth.

Greiner enters the race with experience as a city council member in Ainsworth and a recognizable portfolio of civic engagement.

Most recently, Greiner has acted as the petitioner representative concerning a petition challenged tied to the Highland bond referendum appeal.

Stewart, known locally as a racecar driver and the son of longtime civic volunteers Kurt and Dawn Stewart. With his mother’s service on the city council, local government is not new to Stewart.

Voters in Ainsworth also will decide three city council seats, all four-year terms. Incumbents Timothy Bean, Jolleen Cerka and Jared Waters are running for re-election, joined on the ballot by newcomers Brittany Thompson and Charles Limoges.

Other Washington County towns are seeing less competition but no less importance in their local elections. In Kalona, three seats are open on the city council, with incumbents Henry Beisheim and Joe Schmidt joined by Taylor Yeggy-Berg and Eileen Beran on the ballot.

This city council seat opening comes from current council member Craig Spitzer not running for re-election.

Riverside’s mayor, Allen Schneider, is unopposed this cycle, but four candidates — incumbent Tom Sexton, along with Levi Schnoebelen, Edgar McGuire and Chris Grinstead — are competing for two available council seats, keeping that race competitive.

In Crawfordsville, Mayor Roy Felts is the only name for the city’s top post, but Aaron Richardson will face incumbents Jordan Hill, Tom Gerot and Sheila Baker for one of three council seats.

Elsewhere, small-town incumbents look set to retain control.

In Wellman, Mayor Ryan J. Miller and council members Fern Bontrager and Shannon McCain are running unopposed.

Brighton’s ballot lists Mayor Bill Farmer without opposition, while council members Gerald Cutler and Kenny Shearon also seek new terms unchallenged.

West Chester residents will again see few choices on their ballots. Mayor Chad C. Peiffer and council members Delores Lillie and Ronald Carey are running unopposed, though three of the city’s five council seats remain without candidates, leaving the possibility of write-ins or vacancies to be filled later.

Across the county, the pattern is familiar: uncontested races in many towns, but pockets of competition in a few.

For Ainsworth the choice comes down to direction. Will voters reaffirm McCarthy’s approach or shift to the energy of Stewart or the experience of Greiner?

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com