Rangel wins Ward 2

WASHINGTON — With all votes accounted for, Candidate Ivan Rangel won the seat for Washington’s second ward in an low-turnout election Tuesday night. Rangel will replace former Council Member Steve Gault for the remainder of his term, which concludes in 2025.

The race brought a lower turnout than Washington’s most recent special election. Last year’s campaign for Ward 1 saw 224 voters at the polls, while the Valentine’s Day vote total was 73, or 6.53% of registered voters in the ward.

Rangel won that vote with a plurality. A total of 32 ballots were cast for his name, compared to 24 and 17 for his opponents, Jennine Wolf and Richard Conrad, respectively.

Rangel said he was glad to know his views aligned with those of constituents.

“I had people call me and ask me what my thoughts were on a few matters here in the city,” he said. “I just told them what I thought, and I guess they seemed convinced. I guess I had some votes from them.”

The Council Member-Elect said he was eager to start.

“I want to get up to speed on everything going on with the city, and try to do my best job,” he said.

Rangel campaigned on a promise to push for housing development and construction permit reform, and said he hoped to serve as a bilingual voice representing Washington’s Latino community.

“I know there’s a growing Latino and Hispanic community in town, and I know from experience a lot of people don’t speak out or voice their opinion if there’s a language barrier, if they don’t know English,” he said at a candidate forum. “I believe I can make that bridge.”

Both of Rangel’s opponents said he had their support as the special election winner prepares to take office.

“I wish I had enough to win, but such as life is, that’s just the way it goes,” Conrad said. “I wish for him the best, I really do.”

Wolf said, “The one who was supposed to win, won. I’ll give him all my support.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com