Unofficial election results from Tuesday’s 2026 general election on November 3rd showed contrasting political landscapes across southeast Iowa, with Jefferson County trending Democratic in several key races while Keokuk and Van Buren counties favored Republican candidates.
Jefferson County
Democrats carried most of the top-of-ticket races in Jefferson County. Josh Turek defeated Ashley Hinson in the U.S. Senate race, 3,630 to 2,952, with Libertarian Thomas Laehn receiving 278 votes. Christina Bohannan bested incumbent U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in the District 1 congressional race, 3,617 to 2,995, with independent Michael Bridgford tallying 252 votes.
In the gubernatorial race, Rob Sand and Dave Muhlbauer defeated Zach Lahn and Derek Wulf, 4,001 to 3,009.
Democrats also won the Secretary of State race, with Ryan Peterman edging Paul D. Pate, 3,460 to 3,389. Taylor Wettach topped Chris Cournoyer in the Auditor of State contest, 3,608 to 3,136. John Norwood defeated Roby Smith for Treasurer of State, 3,563 to 3,167. Chris Jones beat Mike Naig for Secretary of Agriculture, 3,665 to 3,193. And Nate Willems defeated Attorney General Brenna Bird, 3,588 to 3,204.
In the State House races, Thomas R. O’Donnell defeated incumbent Jeff Shipley in District 87, 3,346 to 2,136. Helena Hayes ran unopposed in District 88, receiving 1,163 votes.
Constitutional Amendment 1 fell short of the 60% threshold needed for passage in Jefferson County, receiving 3,485 yes votes (54.12%) to 2,954 no votes.
Jefferson County Local Races
Lee Dimmitt won the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors seat over Jerry Leonard, 3,560 to 2,858. Mark Myers ran unopposed for County Treasurer with 5,797 votes. Kelly L. Spees ran unopposed for County Recorder with 5,679 votes. Chauncey Moulding won County Attorney with 4,163 votes to 1,332 write-in votes.
The Fairfield School Board measure (Public Measure LR) passed the 60% threshold with 4,214 votes in favor (67.93%) to 1,989 opposed. Pekin School’s Public Measure MN also passed, 171 to 93 (64.77%). Kirkwood Community College’s Public Measure NC fell just short of the 60% threshold, receiving 19 yes votes to 13 no votes (59.4%).
Four candidates were elected to Jefferson County Hospital Trustee (Vote For 4): Angela Atwood (4,292), Greg Hanshaw (4,150), Alex Roth (4,007) and Mike Stiemsma (3,515). Joseph Arndt (4,032) and Douglas Schultz (4,102) were elected Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners. Brandon Taglauer ran unopposed for County Agricultural Extension Council to fill a vacancy, receiving 4,513 votes.
A separate Jefferson County Hospital Trustee race (Vote For 5) elected Susie Drish (4,100), Christy Conner (3,656), Michelle Moothart (3,578), Mark Yule (3,551) and Gregory Jansma (3,281).
Jefferson County Township Results
In Blackhawk Township, Dennis Lock ran unopposed for Township Clerk with 112 votes; the Trustee position saw 12 write-in votes. In Buchanan Township, James T. Salts was elected Trustee with 239 votes, and Joseph McLarney was elected Clerk with 239 votes. In Cedar Township, Drew Johnson was elected Trustee with 229 votes; the Clerk position saw 16 write-in votes. In Center Township, Philip R. Gevock was elected Trustee with 427 votes, and James C. Flinspach was elected Clerk with 423 votes. In Des Moines Township, R. Dean Adam was elected Trustee with 132 votes, and Ben Godwin was elected Clerk with 139 votes. Liberty Township saw write-in votes only: 6 for Trustee, 4 for Trustee to Fill a Vacancy, and 6 for Clerk. In Lockridge Township, the Trustee position saw 15 write-in votes, and Brian E. Taglauer was elected Clerk with 120 votes. In Locust Grove Township, Randy Major was elected Trustee with 105 votes, the Trustee to Fill a Vacancy position saw 19 write-in votes, and Tony Webb was elected Clerk with 105 votes. Penn Township saw write-in votes only: 16 for Trustee and 11 for Clerk. In Polk Township, Mike Myers was elected Trustee with 103 votes, and David Hollingsworth was elected Clerk with 107 votes. In Round Prairie Township, Craig A. Fulton was elected Trustee with 114 votes; the Clerk position saw 25 write-in votes. In Walnut Township, the Trustee position saw 18 write-in votes, and Diana L. Carroll was elected Clerk with 79 votes.
Jefferson County Judicial Retention
All seven judicial retention candidates on the Jefferson County ballot were retained. Court of Appeals Judge John M. Sandy was retained, 3,898 yes to 1,100 no. Court of Appeals Judge Julie A. Schumacher was retained, 3,938 yes to 1,030 no. Court of Appeals Judge Sharon Soorholtz Greer was retained, 3,870 yes to 1,087 no. District 8A Judge Dustin Hite was retained, 3,760 yes to 1,137 no. District 8A Judge Amber L. Thompson was retained, 3,975 yes to 999 no. District 8A Associate Judge Susan Cole was retained, 3,914 yes to 991 no. District 8A Associate Judge Jennifer Nicole Jensen was retained, 3,956 yes to 992 no.
Keokuk County
Keokuk County voters favored Republican candidates across the board. Ashley Hinson defeated Josh Turek in the U.S. Senate race, 2,510 to 1,232, with Laehn receiving 141 votes. Miller-Meeks topped Bohannan in the congressional race, 2,455 to 1,258, with Bridgford receiving 171 votes.
Lahn and Wulf defeated Sand and Muhlbauer in the governor’s race, 2,408 to 1,544. Paul D. Pate beat Ryan Peterman for Secretary of State, 2,803 to 1,040. Chris Cournoyer topped Taylor Wettach for Auditor of State, 2,559 to 1,191. Roby Smith defeated John Norwood for Treasurer of State, 2,581 to 1,154. Mike Naig won Secretary of Agriculture over Chris Jones, 2,858 to 1,002. Brenna Bird won re-election as Attorney General over Nate Willems, 2,611 to 1,233.
Helena Hayes ran unopposed in State House District 88 in Keokuk County, receiving 3,094 votes.
Constitutional Amendment 1 passed in Keokuk County, with 2,227 yes votes (65.35%) to 1,181 no votes.
Keokuk County Local Races
Both Keokuk County Board of Supervisors seats went to Bryan Coffman (R) with 2,535 votes and Daryl Wood (D) with 2,578 votes. Christine Edmundson Long ran unopposed for County Treasurer with 3,411 votes. Maddison A.E. Denny ran unopposed for County Attorney with 3,239 votes. Dawn T. Goldman ran unopposed for County Recorder with 3,311 votes.
The Keota School Public Measure ML failed to reach the 60% threshold, receiving 341 yes votes (53.12%) to 301 no votes. Pekin School’s Public Measure ML also failed, passing with only 456 yes votes (50.11%) to 454 no votes. Kirkwood Community College’s Public Measure NC passed, 220 yes to 114 no (65.87%).
Five candidates were elected to the Keokuk County Hospital Trustee board (Vote For 5): Alan Sellers (1,820), Jodi Greiner (1,564), Kathy Utterback (1,494), Judy Striegel (1,225) and Dustin R. Bensmiller (1,213). Also receiving votes were Allison Pence (1,183), Ron Kurtz (1,179), John Dumont (1,033), David J. Peterson (633), Candy Breon (673) and Terry Fogle (604). Joel Millikin (2,202) and Dan Striegel (2,570) were elected Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners. The five County Agricultural Extension Council seats went to Clinton Mikesell (2,241), Heather Bombei (2,233), Janis Collins (2,134), Michael Bensmiller (2,124) and Carla Dumont (2,019).
Keokuk County Township Results
In Adams Township, Colt Mather was elected Trustee with 69 votes and 5 write-in votes; Josh Annis was elected Walnut Township Clerk with 67 votes. In Benton Township, Rick Abel was elected Trustee with 107 votes and 8 write-in votes; Linda Abel was elected Clerk with 102 votes. Clear Creek Township saw 16 write-in votes for Trustee; Alan Berg was elected Clerk with 99 votes. In English River Township, Tom Baird was elected Trustee with 91 votes and 4 write-in votes; Cherrie Baird was elected Clerk with 89 votes. Jackson Township saw 24 write-in votes for Trustee; Julie Swanson was elected Clerk with 120 votes. In Lafayette Township, Dennis Lyle was elected Trustee with 94 votes and Tom Adam with 89 votes; the Trustee to Fill a Vacancy saw 6 write-in votes; Kevin Luers was elected Clerk with 86 votes. In East Lancaster Township, David B. Klein was elected Trustee with 39 votes and John Dumont with 33 votes; Carla Dumont was elected Clerk with 39 votes. In West Lancaster Township, Gary Martin was elected Trustee with 81 votes and 5 write-in votes; Janet D. Martin was elected Clerk with 77 votes. Liberty Township saw 13 write-in votes for Trustee and 7 write-in votes for Clerk. In Plank Township, Jeffrey J. Hinnah was elected Trustee with 108 votes and 5 write-in votes; Holly A. Martin was elected Clerk with 117 votes. In Prairie Township, Steve Van Zee was elected Trustee with 76 votes and Kelvin Gale with 72 votes; Judith Christner was elected Clerk with 75 votes. Richland Township saw 21 write-in votes for Trustee and 8 write-in votes for Clerk. In Sigourney Township, Ronald A. Waechter was elected Trustee with 67 votes and Terry Steinhart with 62 votes; the Trustee to Fill a Vacancy saw 5 write-in votes; Paula Rasplicka was elected Clerk with 72 votes. In Steady Run Township, David Jones was elected Trustee with 58 votes and 9 write-in votes; James Campbell was elected Clerk with 60 votes. Van Buren Township saw 22 write-in votes for Trustee and 6 write-in votes for Clerk. In Warren Township, Doyle Abrams was elected Trustee with 68 votes and 4 write-in votes; the Clerk position saw 12 write-in votes. In Washington Township, Michael Striegel was elected Trustee with 103 votes and Kirk E. Beasley with 95 votes; James L. Striegel was elected Clerk with 103 votes.
Keokuk County Judicial Retention
All seven judicial retention candidates were retained in Keokuk County. Court of Appeals Judge John M. Sandy was retained, 1,720 yes to 711 no. Court of Appeals Judge Julie A. Schumacher was retained, 1,718 yes to 700 no. Court of Appeals Judge Sharon Soorholtz Greer was retained, 1,653 yes to 742 no. District 8A Judge Dustin Hite was retained, 1,747 yes to 746 no. District 8A Judge Amber L. Thompson was retained, 2,218 yes to 590 no. District 8A Associate Judge Susan Cole was retained, 1,696 yes to 684 no. District 8A Associate Judge Jennifer Nicole Jensen was retained, 1,749 yes to 655 no.
Van Buren County
Van Buren County also favored Republicans in the statewide races. Hinson defeated Turek in the Senate race, 1,878 to 758, with Laehn receiving 151 votes. Miller-Meeks beat Bohannan in the congressional race, 1,897 to 810, with Bridgford receiving 103 votes.
Lahn and Wulf won the governor’s race over Sand and Muhlbauer, 1,852 to 963. Pate topped Peterman for Secretary of State, 2,080 to 709. Cournoyer beat Wettach for Auditor of State, 2,007 to 757. Smith defeated Norwood for Treasurer of State, 2,010 to 737. Naig won Secretary of Agriculture over Jones, 2,061 to 721. Bird won Attorney General over Willems, 1,993 to 769.
Jeff Shipley won State House District 87 in Van Buren County, 1,882 to 929 over Thomas R. O’Donnell.
Constitutional Amendment 1 fell just short of the 60% threshold needed for passage in Van Buren County, receiving 1,539 yes votes (59.4%) to 1,052 no votes.
Van Buren County Local Races
Both Van Buren County Board of Supervisors seats went to Republican candidates: Mark Meek with 1,853 votes and Dale J. House with 1,693 votes, with 569 write-in votes cast. Linda Whitten ran unopposed for County Treasurer with 2,415 votes. H. Craig Miller ran unopposed for County Attorney with 2,006 votes. Lisa Crane ran unopposed for County Recorder with 2,589 votes.
The Van Buren County School Public Measure US failed, with 993 yes votes (38.3%) to 1,596 no votes. The Fairfield School Public Measure LR also failed in Van Buren County, receiving only 3 yes votes to 13 no votes.
The four Van Buren County Hospital Trustee seats went to Michael William Thomas (1,900), Kayla Scheuers (1,820), Ann McBride (1,797) and Quenton Dodson (1,797). Dennis Gratz (1,887) and Rodney Peck (2,080) were elected Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners. Six candidates ran for the five County Agricultural Extension Council seats: Hannah Wells (1,733), Mary Jane Mast (1,503), Kelly Gordy (1,475), Patrick Thomas (1,451), Jasmine Padget (1,424) and Jennifer Gardner (1,373). The top five vote-getters — Wells, Mast, Gordy, Thomas and Padget — were elected. The Council also had a vacancy to fill; that seat saw 229 write-in votes.
Van Buren County Township Results
In Bonaparte Township, the Trustee position saw 45 write-in votes; Richard Eden was elected Clerk with 124 votes. In Cedar Township, David Hoaglin was elected Trustee with 77 votes; Carol Deao was elected Clerk with 77 votes. Chequest Township saw 23 write-in votes for Trustee and 10 write-in votes for Clerk. In Des Moines Township, Corby Troutman was elected Trustee with 82 votes and William L. Helling with 81 votes; the Clerk position saw 6 write-in votes. Farmington Township saw 46 write-in votes for Trustee; Kathy J. Hood was elected Clerk with 133 votes. Harrisburg Township saw 53 write-in votes for Trustee; Wayne Phelps was elected Clerk with 77 votes. In Henry Township, Ken M. Hornbaker was elected Trustee with 67 votes; Kathy Bartholomew was elected Clerk with 70 votes. In Jackson Township, Loren Weatherington was elected Trustee with 90 votes; Benjamin W. Koellner was elected Clerk with 83 votes. In Lick Creek Township, Steven E. Kisling was elected Trustee with 163 votes; Dennis Syfert was elected Trustee to Fill a Vacancy with 154 votes; the Clerk position saw 17 write-in votes. In Union Township, Troy Lyon was elected Trustee with 83 votes and Steven Unkrich with 82 votes; Mark Carter was elected Clerk with 98 votes. Van Buren Township saw 18 write-in votes for Trustee; Mike Plecker was elected Clerk with 149 votes. Vernon Township saw 22 write-in votes for Trustee, 7 write-in votes for Trustee to Fill a Vacancy, and 9 write-in votes for Clerk. In Village Township, Terry Hostetler was elected Trustee with 162 votes and Doug Pool with 145 votes; Donald Gene Pool was elected Clerk with 188 votes. In Washington Township, Keith Morris was elected Trustee with 51 votes and Christy Baker Vickerman with 47 votes; Twila Westercamp was elected Clerk with 56 votes.
Van Buren County Judicial Retention
All seven judicial retention candidates were retained in Van Buren County. Court of Appeals Judge John M. Sandy was retained, 1,443 yes to 670 no. Court of Appeals Judge Julie A. Schumacher was retained, 1,465 yes to 655 no. Court of Appeals Judge Sharon Soorholtz Greer was retained, 1,440 yes to 702 no. District 8A Judge Dustin Hite was retained, 1,459 yes to 671 no. District 8A Judge Amber L. Thompson was retained, 1,472 yes to 671 no. District 8A Associate Judge Susan Cole was retained, 1,510 yes to 629 no. District 8A Associate Judge Jennifer Nicole Jensen was retained, 1,475 yes to 648 no.
All results are unofficial.
