Candidates vie for spot on November ballot

VINTON — Three Benton County Republicans are looking for a spot on the November ballot.

Kellie Van Ree, Ronald J. Tippett and Lance Scott Lillibridge appear on the June 4 Republican primary ballot for the District 1 seat on the county board of supervisors.

Lance Scott Lillibridge

Lance Scott Lillibridge began working for Procter & Gamble as a high school graduation. After five year, he went back to work on the farm and entered the trucking industry.

With encouragement from close friends and wife Heidi, he started his own company.

The company grew, and the couple started a third party logistics company to compliment the asset side of the business.

The Lillibridges purchased 80 acres and started to build homes on what is known as North Field Ranch.

At the same time they started a farming operation in Benton County.

After a few years the couple sold the development and then the transportation business. They now focus on their family and their farm.

“The timing was perfect for our kids to experience what work ethic is by raising livestock and showing livestock all over the Midwest,” said Lillibridge.

“I was elected to the Iowa Corn Growers Association as director for District 6 and, after serving three years, was elected into the executive rotation.”

After serving as vice president, president and chairman, he became director at large. His term ends in August.

“I have a background of dealing with people from all over the world,” said Lillibridge. “I have developed relationships with state and federal leaders along with presidential candidates and their staff.

“I am also currently working on a project with NASA. This maybe the most exciting thing I have done in my agriculture career,” said Lillibridge.

“I will not let dollars be spent frivolously. I will also strive to restore morale within county government.”

Ronald J. Tippett

Originally from LaPorte City, Tippett has spent the last 38 years working in Law Enforcement in Benton County.

He lives in Vinton with his wife, Cindy. The have two grown children and three granddaughters.

Tippett is an active member of the Vinton Lions Club, the Benton County Republicans and the Vinton Presbyterian Church and volunteers as a coach for the Red Cedar Shooter trap team.

He calls himself a 2nd Amendment supporter and a conservative.

Tippet began his career at the Benton County Sheriff’s Office in the jail and dispatch area. He served with the Belle Plaine Police Department and was police chief for 11 years.

Tippet returned to the Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff in 2001 and, in 2017, began first term as sheriff.

He’ll retire at the end of this year.

“I have been asked many times why I would retire as sheriff and jump right back into working as a supervisor,” Tippet said.

“There are current projects that I would like to keep working with, such as the new radio system and the upcoming changes to the Mental Health System. I also believe that my extensive experience with municipal and county government will be very helpful in all areas.”

Benton County has had too much bad press, Tippet said. “We need to learn from the mistakes, not dwell on the negative but move forward in a positive direction.”

Supervisors need to work with the Auditors Office, and give directives to department heads and elected officials when preparing budgets, Tippet said.

“Tax rates are the number one item that Benton County citizens are concerned about. As sheriff, I have supported local businesses in Benton County, been under budget every year and cut the budget for the fiscal year 24/25,” Tippet said.

Kellie Van Ree

Kellie Van Ree graduated from Vinton-Shellsburg high school in 2001, majored in nursing at Kirkwood Community College and in long-term care administration a Bellevue University.

Sje holds active licenses as a nursing home administrator and registered nurse.

Van Ree has worked in the healthcare industry since 1998, primarily in the nursing home sector. For the past three years she’s served in a government advocacy role.

Van Ree and her husband Todd live north of Vinton with their 11-year-old daughter Lexi.

“I have quite a bit of experience reviewing Iowa Code,” said Van Ree. “I’ve never ran or served in a public office, however, I’ve spent the last six months thoroughly reviewing the supervisors manual and Iowa code in conjunction with the ordinances and sitting in the supervisors meetings.”

Van Ree became interested in the board of supervisors when it was being sued for sexual harassment and, a short time later, terminated the board of health, she said.

“While trying to understand what was going on in the county government, it was clear that we need a change. With much thought and consideration I decided that I can’t complain about the current situation if I don’t try to drive the change myself,” Van Ree said.

“I also feel like part of the change needs to be a younger individual that has the opportunity to hear about state and federal trends, leadership education and a lot of various continuing education that can bring new ideas to the table, is willing to dig in and research before making decisions, and collaborating to bring a positive change to Benton County leadership.,” Van Ree said.