Mid-Prairie bond passes, Brighton incumbents voted out

WASHINGTON — With ballots counted from across Washington County, the votes of thousands of residents have been unofficially tallied, giving a likely look at the winners and losers of Tuesday, Nov. 7’s city and school elections.

There was little surprise in Washington, where school board and city council candidates all ran unopposed. That means council incumbents Millie Youngquist and Illa Earnest are in office for another four years, while Patrick Morgan prepares to settle into the first ward seat. On the board of education, Troy Suchan is back at the helm, joined by newcomers Brendan DeLong, Kara Williams and Diana Rich.

Crawfordsville and Ainsworth city councils saw similar situations, with as many candidates running as there were seats. The result was a win for Eric Davis and Roy Felts in the former, and Dave Roberts and Ronald Greiner in the latter.

Highland’s school board race played out much the same, with John O’Leary, Dan Ruth, Nate Robinson, Joslin Schott and Karen Fink winning their respective election bids without contest.

Other races around the county, however, were more contentious.

MID-PRAIRIE:

An $8.7 million bond referendum made for a closely watched race in the Mid-Prairie school district, after a $26.3 million ask in February of 2022 failed to persuade voters. Ultimately, the ballot measure passed Tuesday night, in an unambiguous 932-417 vote, an approval rating of almost 70%.

The money is planned for a number of projects, including a high school wrestling room and activities center, parking improvements at East Elementary, classroom additions and remodeling at West Elementary, and HVAC improvements.

Many in the community were eagerly awaiting the vote’s outcome.

"We feel as though it’s needed for the schools, keep them updated,“ Wellman voter Sue Hill said, on her way to the ballot box Tuesday. ”We feel as though Mid-Prairie is a viable asset to our community.“

As for the district’s school board, five candidates sought after four open seats. Based on unofficial tallies, Denise Chittick, Randy Billups, Ryan Schlabaugh, and Mary Allred appear set to take office after challenger Jim Miller garnered the fewest votes, some 211 shy of fourth place, based on unofficial counts from Washington and Johnson counties.

BRIGHTON:

One of the most contested city council races in the county saw six candidates racing to secure three seats in Brighton, which has seen civic engagement (and municipal criticism) skyrocket in light of several controversial council meetings regarding fire protection.

Ultimately, Chuck Emry, Dick Green and Dave Pratt won voters over to oust incumbents Cathy Rich and Mary Smith, while denying a seat to Andrew Boone.

The contest was remarkably close. Although Emry enjoyed a comfortable front-runner status with 47 votes, he collected only nine more ballots than fourth-place finisher Cathy Rich. The difference between Rich and Pratt, meanwhile, was a mere two votes: 38 to 40.

RIVERSIDE

Ryan Rogerson found himself the sole challenger to Riverside City Council Members Kevin Kiene, Edgar McGuire and Lois Schneider Tuesday night. With all the votes unofficially tallied, it appeared Rogerson’s attempt was successful, earning 106 votes, the most of any candidate in the race.

His entry to the office will displace Councilperson Edgar McGuire, who garnered the fewest ballots, at a total of 73.

Mayor Allen Schneider meanwhile won another two-year term, running unopposed.

WELLMAN

Like Brighton, Wellman saw four newcomers and two incumbents all vying for three open seats on the city council. Unlike Brighton, the race was kind to incumbents.

At the end of the night, Council Members Aaron Fleming and Angela Stutzman came out ahead, putting them back at the reins for another four years, alongside newcomer to the council Nathan Klostermann, the only candidate in town to win over 25% of voters.

Other races

In Kalona, city council incumbents Jenelle Bender and Gregory Schmidt ran against challenger David Bentley. The top two finished the night victorious, with Bender and Schmidt earning 322 and 255 votes, respectively. Mayor Mark Robe won re-election without a challenger.

West Chester had the opposite problem: five open council seats and only three people running to fill them: incumbents Ron Carey, Andrew Bamhart and Delores Lillie. With write-in results undisclosed until the results are certified, it’s unclear who will step in to fill the other two council seats.

West Chester Mayor Vanessa Wasson, running unopposed, also secured another two years in the position with just a single ballot cast in her name, according to Tuesday night’s unofficial results.

Kirkwood Community College District 4 Director Lorraine Williams drew impressive turnout for an unopposed race, with 1,429 votes in her name to keep the position as a decision-maker for the community college.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com