Republicans sweep Union County

Union County Auditor Sandy Hysell released federal, state and county election general election results late Tuesday night. They will remain unofficial until the board of supervisors approve them Nov. 13.

Out of 8,381 registered voters in the county, 6,033 (72%) cast their ballot.

Union County is represented by four state legislators who each cover portions of the county. State Senator Tom Shipley was the only not up for re-election this year.

Republican incumbent Ray “Bubba” Sorensen ran against Democrat newcomer Karen Varley for District 23 State Representative. Union County favored Sorensen with 599 votes. Varley earned 153. Iowa voted to re-elect Sorensen.

Republican incumbent Amy Sinclair ran against Democrat Nicole Loew for District 12 State Senator. Union County favored Sinclair with 539 votes. Loew earned 179. Iowa voted to re-elect Sinclair.

Devon Wood for District 17 State Representative won the uncontested race.

At the federal level, Republican incumbent Zach Nunn ran for District 3 U.S. Representative against Democrat Lanon Bacaam. Nunn won the vote in Union County with 3,831 votes while Bacaam earned 1,935. With 92% reporting, Zach Nunn is favored in Iowa with 200,677 compared to Bacaam’s 192,099.

Former President Donald Trump won Union County with 4,038 votes while Vice President Kamala Harris earned 1,871 votes.

All of the local races were uncontested.

Union County Supervisor incumbents Dennis Brown and Rick Friday were both re-elected, earning 3,795 and 4,343 votes, respectively.

Brown has been serving as a supervisor since 2010. Two things Brown mentioned during the candidate forum in May were ending the population decline and stabilizing tax levels.

Initially filling a vacancy, Friday has served as a supervisor since 2018. During the forum, Friday said working with HF 718 and the 800 miles of county roads are important to him. He also wants more attention to Osage Street and Hi and Dry Road, busier roads in the county.

Brian Bolton ran uncontested for county sheriff, earning 5,061 votes. Current sheriff Mark Shepherd did not run, retiring after one term. Bolton announced his intention to run during the 2024 Iowa Republican Caucus, stating he wants to leave Creston a better place than he found it.

Hysell also ran uncontested as the incumbent for Union County Auditor, earning 5,043 votes.

The Union County Public Hospital Trustee Board decided in July to drop from seven to five members in this year’s election. The board is currently made up of six members, with Sherry McKie and Julie Lanning each having terms up this year. With an anticipated retirement in the near future, McKie and Lanning were both re-elected with 3,471 and 3,934 votes, respectively.

A number of seats are up for election on the Union County Agricultural Extension Council, with five regular terms expiring and one vacancy to fill. Allyson Lacina is the candidate to fill the vacancy. All those running were elected: April Evans (3,198), incumbent Randy Wuebker (3,129), incumbent Nicole Shawley (2,879), incumbent Callie Anderson (3,162), Chad Ide (3,657) and Lacinia (4,225).

The Soil and Water Conservation district commissioners was only being run for by Mike Eblen, though the board has three terms expiring. He was elected with 4,805 votes.

Union County voted in favor of both constitutional amendments.

The first amendment focuses on voting age and citizenship language. Iowa law currently allows 17-year-olds to vote in a primary election if they will be age 18 by the general election. The amendment asks to cement this into the Iowa constitution. Regarding citizenship, the phrase “every citizen of the United States” will be changed to “only a citizen of the United States” for who can vote. In Union County, 4,439 voted yes compared to 1,085 voting no.

The second amendment focuses on line of succession for the Iowa executive branch. This amendment adds clarifying language to the constitution regarding what happens if the Iowa governor reigns, dies or leaves office for some reason. The new language would clarify that the lieutenant governor would take over the position until the end of the elected term. The new governor would then be able to appoint a new lieutenant governor. In Union County, 4,600 voted yes while 848 voted no.

The county also favored all judicial retentions. Iowa Supreme Court Justice David May earned 2,897 yes and 1,472 no. Court of Appeals Judge Tyler Buller earned 2,813 for and 1,296 against. Court of Appeals Judge Mary Elizabeth Chicchelly earned 2,784 for and 1,336 against. Court of Appeals Judge Samuel Langholz earned 2,702 for and 1,415 against. Court of Appeals Judge Mary Ellen Tabor earned 2,906 for and 1,299 against. District 5B Judge Patrick W. Greenwood earned 3,052 and 1,146 against.

With 75% of Iowa counties reporting, all judicial positions are favored to be retained.

Full Union County election results here.