Federal, state offices top local primary ballots
O'Brien County Sheriff race is only contested seat at local level
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SENTINEL-NEWS FILE PHOTO
There will be only one polling station for the June 2 primary in Clay County – at the Clay County Administration Building in Spencer – and two in O'Brien County – at the Primghar Community Building and Crossroads Pavilion in Sheldon.
Competition might be fleeting at the local level, but voters will find a few heated races speckled throughout their ballots during the June 2 primary election.
The thickest competition is lumped in contests for federal office. Regionally, four newcomers are hoping to beat nine-term incumbent Rep. Steve King, of Kiron, for the Republican Party's nomination in the Fourth District. The crowded field includes Randy Feenstra, a state senator from Hull; businessman Steve Reeder, of Spirit Lake; businessman Bret Richards, of Irwin; and former Woodbury County supervisor and Iowa House member Jeremy Taylor, of Sioux City.
Democrat J.D. Scholten, of Sioux City, came within 3 points of unseating King in the 2018 general election. He is the lone candidate vying for his party's nomination in the Fourth District and faces an open path to the November ballot.
A large field of candidates is also vying for their party's nod for U.S. Senate, but this time it's the Democrats who have to make a big decision. Retired U.S. Navy Adm. Michael Franken, of Sioux City; attorney Kimberly Graham, of Indianola; real estate developer Theresa Greenfield, of Des Moines; and businessman Eddie Mauro, of Des Moines, are all trying to win a chance to take on Republican incumbent Sen. Joni Ernst, who is running uncontested in the GOP primary. Ernst, of Red Oak, was first elected in 2014 and previously served in the Iowa Legislature.
The only other competitive race on local ballots is in Iowa House District 3, which encompasses O'Brien and Cherokee counties as well as parts of Plymouth and Sioux counties. Dennis Bush, of rural Cherokee County; Lynn Evans, of Aurelia; and Mark McHugh, of Sheldon, are all vying for the Republican Party's crown. The race will essentially cement their place to succeed outgoing District 3 Rep. Dan Huseman, R–Aurelia, as no Democrats are running to get on the November general election ballot.
The only contested race at the local level is for O'Brien County Sheriff. Chief Deputy Bruce Devereaux, of Paullina, will face Brenda Collier, of Primghar, for the Republican Party's nod.
No Democrats filed to run for county-level offices in either O'Brien or Clay counties. All open seats are being sought by Republican incumbents with the exception of Clay County Auditor. Republican Ann Baschke, of Spencer, is hoping to succeed longtime Auditor Marge Pitts, who is not seeking re-election.
