Washington County voters return familiar faces, add new voices in city races

WASHINGTON — Washington County’s city elections on Tuesday produced a blend of steady leadership and fresh perspectives, with uncontested incumbents cruising and a handful of competitive races reshaping several councils.

In Washington, Mayor Millie Youngquist, who first won a 2024 special election, secured a full term without opposition, drawing 629 votes.

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Voters in Washington also filled three council seats: Elaine Moore won the at-large race with 344 votes, topping Gary Howard (251) and Douglas Hoyle (180). In Ward 4, Susan Carroll defeated incumbent Francis Stigers, 104 to 73. Jennine Wolf stood unopposed in Ward 2 and received 119 votes.

Ainsworth produced one of the night’s tighter mayoral contests. Challenger Derrick Stewart prevailed with 36 votes, unseating incumbent Troy McCarthy, who had 24; Ronald Greiner finished with 27. On the council, voters chose three: incumbents Timothy Bean (58) and Jared Waters (56) won alongside Brittany Thompson (47). Jolleen Cerka (34) and Charles Limoges (35) fell short.

Kalona’s at-large council race drew the county’s heaviest competition. Joe Schmidt (266), Taylor Yeggy-Berg (267) and Eileen Beran (243) earned seats, while incumbent Henry Beisheim received 149 votes.

In Riverside, incumbent Mayor Allen Schneider ran unopposed and received 322 votes. Voters filled two council seats, choosing Tom Sexton (161) and Chris Grinstead (168) over Levi Schnoebelen (156) and Edgar McGuire (100). The city uses a mayor-council form of government with staggered council terms that drive continuity between elections.

Wellman re-upped its leadership slate without drama: Mayor Ryan Miller received 141 votes unopposed, and incumbents Fern Bontrafer (109) and Sharon McCain (135) kept their council seats. West Chester also opted for continuity; Mayor Chad Peiffer (17) and council members Delores Lillie (14) and Ronald Carey (11) each ran unopposed.

In Brighton, Mayor Bill Farmer (98) appeared on the ballot without opposition, as did council winners Gerald Cutler (90) and Kenny Shearon (33). Crawfordsville voters returned Mayor Roy Felts (40) and selected three council members, with incumbent Jordan Hill (34) and Aaron Richardson (27) winning seats alongside one more top vote-getter; Tom Gerot and Sheila Baker each received 26.

County officials this month will carry out the canvass that converts unofficial totals into certified results, as required by Iowa law. The Iowa Secretary of State’s office underscores that “all results remain unofficial until canvassing is completed, and the results are certified later this month,” a standard reminder that applies to local canvasses statewide.

With contested races settled and uncontested candidates affirmed, city halls from Kalona to Riverside can turn their attention to budgets, streets and nuisance code enforcement — the everyday work that motivated voters to show up on a quiet, off-year Tuesday.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com