BREAKING: Glinsmann wins First Ward election

Bethany Vittetoe Glinsmann clenched a victory in the Ward 1 special election Tuesday night, ending a tight race for office in a 118-106 vote. The council member-elect has a history of community advocacy, despite limited government experience.

Glinsmann said she was proud of the result, and of the community’s ability to get out and vote.

"I had a feeling it was going to be a close race,“ she said. ”I’m really happy there was such a high voter turnout today. I think it’s great that people took the time and exercised their right to vote … it was a close election, so every vote had a really big impact.“

The election generated impressive turnout, with 224 total votes cast: well above the 183 ballots of the last ward-specific special election in 2021, and over double the 96 voters of the last Ward 1 election in 2019. The increased public attention was highlighted by numerous campaign signs around town, even outside of the first ward, despite eligible voters being limited to only its residents.

Glinsmann led a campaign that promised to serve people directly.

“My priorities are focused on people,” she said during an interview in March. “First we need to take care of our people, and then we can take care of our infrastructure. But without people, we don’t really have a community, so that’s my first priority.”

Opposing candidate Deran DeLong said he accepted the narrow loss, and promised to keep serving the city as he has for several years.

“I’m of course a little disappointed, but I’d like to congratulate Bethany, I think she did a real good job,” he said. “It was very close, I appreciate all those that supported me. I’ll be able to continue serving the city on the planning and zoning board, so I’ll enjoy doing that going forward.”

Glinsmann is slated to swear in at the April 19 city council meeting, after results are canvassed and finalized by county supervisors next week. The soon-to-be council member said she was ready to start.

”I am excited to get started working for the community, and I think there is a lot of work to do,“ she said. ”I hope people who I got to know in the campaign process will continue to stay in touch and let me know what their priorities are so we can continue working on those.“

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com