Peterson wins reelection in close race for Winnebago County Sheriff

     Election Day was a big day for incumbents in our area last Tuesday, while on the national stage, Iowa helped to elect Donald Trump as the next President of the United States.

     The most hotly contested local race was the race for Winnebago County Sheriff, where incumbent Dave Peterson of Lake Mills won a second four-year term as he edged out Steve Hepperly of Thompson by just 23 votes, according to the unofficial results. Peterson received 2,892 votes (50.14%) compared to 2,869 votes (49.74%) for Hepperly. There were also seven write-in votes, and 69 voters casting ballots did not make a selection for sheriff.

     One Winnebago County Supervisor seat was up for election this year, as voters in the Lake Mills area made their choice of supervisor for District 2. They reelected Republican incumbent Mike Stensrud with 72.04% of the vote over Democratic challenger Mike Hauan with 27.87%.

     Also reelected in Winnebago County was County Auditor Karla Weiss, who ran unopposed this year. Several positions were also filled on the Soil and Water Conservation District, as well as the County Ag Extension Council, where all the candidates listed on the ballot were elected.

     On the state level, Republican incumbent Tedd Gassman will serve a new term as representative for District 7, as he won the majority of the vote in the district and 64.87% of the vote in Winnebago County. His challenger, Democrat Dave Grussing, received 35.04% of the vote.

     In the local race for state senate, incumbent Republican Dennis Guth was elected to a new term in District 4. He received 58.77% of the votes cast in Winnebago County, followed by Democrat Susan Bangert, who received 41.14% of the vote. Republicans won control of the Iowa Senate, which gives them control of both chambers of the Iowa legislature, as well as the governor’s office.

     Winnebago County voters reflected the statewide preference for Republican Donald Trump in the presidential race, as he won 59.63% of the vote here over Democrat Hillary Clinton with 33.31% of the vote. Libertarian Gary Johnson received 3.78% of the vote.

     Republican incumbent Charles Grassley easily won reelection to the U.S. Senate, and he received 68.37% of votes in Winnebago County over Democrat Patty Judge, who received 27.58% of votes cast.

     Also receiving a new term was incumbent U.S. Representative Steve King, a Republican, who received 60.7% of the local votes over Democrat Kim Weaver, who received 39.19% of the vote. Republicans retain control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.