The race to replace outgoing Ottumwa Mayor Rick Johnson turned out to be a fight to the finish.
According to the unofficial totals from the Wapello County Auditor’s office, Ben Foote narrowly defeated Brenda Case by 16 votes. Foote tallied 1,299 votes while Case earned 1,283 votes.
In the Ottumwa City Council race, incumbent Cara Galloway was the top vote getter with 1,428 votes. JoElla Duprey had the second-most votes (1,345) to earn a seat. And Dan Reid won another term on the city council with 1,310 votes. Hector Hernandez finished fourth with 1,108 votes and Ean Troester had 681 votes. Duprey will replace current city councilman Doug McIntire who decided not to seek reelection.
Foote and Duprey are expected to be sworn in before the first city council meeting of the new year which will take place on January 6th.
In the Ottumwa School Board race, Brett White (1,509 votes), Becky Ingle (1,351), and Dusty Ware (1,498) were elected. The trio was able to distance themselves from Himar Hernandez (1,150) and Dawn Strevertsen (1,053).
