Republicans win Washington Co. midterms

WASHINGTON — Tuesday was a good night for Iowa’s Republicans, holding onto many federal positions, capturing the Attorney General’s Office, the Treasurer of State’s office, and winning a state constitutional amendment that subjects gun right infringements to a doctrine of strict scrutiny, the highest legal standard a court can apply.

As of Wednesday morning, U.S. House of Representatives District 3 and Auditor of State races are the only remaining contests Democrats can win. Both are too close to call at time of writing.

Washington County voted red in every race on the ballot, with no Democrats winning the county up or down the ticket. The results install Heather Hora to State House District 92, and State Sen. Dawn Driscoll to State Senate District 46.

Voter turnout was slightly lower than the last off-year election cycle, 57.08% in the county compared to 2018’s historic high of 61.22%.

Driscoll wins State Senate District 46

Washington — With all involved Washington, Johnson and Iowa County precincts reporting, State Sen. Dawn Driscoll won the race for State Senate District 46, in a 14,798-12,597 unofficial tally set for approval by respective county supervisors in the coming weeks.

The Republican’s campaign promises of a heartbeat abortion bill, lower taxes and school choice won voters in the rural, red district, where her status as a top recipient of Republican Party ad purchases helped spread a message and energize her base.

Driscoll said she was proud of the effort.

“I door knocked the district over two and a half times, just my personal self, I did over 8,200 doors,” she said. “I was dedicated this whole time to getting out there and talking to the voters. I’m super proud and happy to represent.”

Driscoll’s victory ousts Democratic Sen. Kevin Kinney, who had a home-field advantage after redistricting, but whose campaign message of centrism was lost on many conservative voters in the recently redrawn electorate.

Kinney said he was disappointed, but accepted the result.

“Voters spoke, and Dawn looks like she won the race,” he said. “I want to thank the supporters for coming out and helping me … I really looked forward to representing Washington County, and I thought we did a lot of good things, but it’s just not going to be, tonight.”

Hora wins State House District 92

Washington — Republican poster child Heather Hora came out far ahead in the general election Tuesday night, finishing with a strong 7,209-4,858 tally in results from Washington and parts of Johnson County.

The “conservative’s conservative” — in her words — promised voters a strict adherence to the party platform, winning Gov. Kim Reynolds’ endorsement with a campaign focused on issues like school vouchers, restricted abortions and a desire to “give people a hand up, not a handout.”

Shortly after results came in Tuesday night, Hora said she credited her win to a relatable ethos.

“I really think that I just am one of my constituents,” she said. “I am a rural, Christian, housewife. I feel like my concerns are their concerns, and I feel like people just connect with that.”

With her first experience in public office now in sight, Hora said she would serve all her constituents, whoever they voted for.

“Democrats, Republicans, independents, whoever it is, Libertarians, I don’t care, just reach out to me,” she said. “I will be their representative, and I will work hard for everyone, regardless of party or anything else.”

Eileen Beran, Hora’s Democratic opponent from Kalona, was considered a long shot bid by many following her nomination by the party weeks after primaries finished. While she hoped to sway some independents with a campaign on common concerns, she did not outperform Hora’s energized followers.

“Had I not run, it would have been 100-0, so I’m happy I put up a good fight, my team has a lot of heart and I’m proud of what we’ve done,” she said. “I’m going to keep working for what I believe in, and maybe the district has not heard the last of me.”

No shockers in uncontested county, local races

Candidates for Washington County offices won decisively, as expected when they finished primaries without Democratic opponents in line for the general election. Various township, hospital trustee and soil/water conservation office runners also approached 100% approval.

Washington County Treasurer Jeff Garrett appears the most popular election official in the area’s precincts, scoring a total of 7,386 votes: more than Gov. Kim Reynolds (5,691,) Sen. Chuck Grassley (5,449,) any county candidate, or the ballot measure on gun rights.

“It is really an honor to have so many Washington County citizens show their support,” Garrett said.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com