Democrats win Iowa’s U.S. Senate and governor races in reported election results

STATEWIDE —Democrats Josh Turek and Rob Sand emerged as winners in Iowa’s statewide election results, according to unofficial results provided by the Secretary of State showing all 99 counties reporting.
Turek defeated Republican Ashley Hinson in the race for the U.S. Senate, receiving 686,486 votes, or 50.45% of the total. Hinson received 630,615 votes, or 46.34%. Libertarian candidate Thomas Laehn received 42,052 votes, or 3.09%, while write-in candidates received 1,686 votes.
In the governor’s race, Democrat Rob Sand and running mate Dave Muhlbauer defeated Republican candidates Zach Lahn and Derek Wulf. Sand and Muhlbauer received 757,326 votes, or 55.42%, compared with 607,415 votes, or 44.45%, for Lahn and Wulf. Write-in candidates received 1,775 votes.
Governor Kim Reynolds, who assumed office on May 24, 2017 and did not run for re-election, issued a statement Wednesday morning. 
“Iowans exercised their right to vote yesterday, electing Rob Sand as Iowa’s next governor,” the statement said. 
“I spoke with him this morning to offer my congratulations and express my personal commitment to a strong transition. Now that the election is over, it’s time to work together so Iowa remains the best state in the nation to live, work, and raise a family for generations to come. My team and I will do our part to ensure the incoming administration is ready for their first day in office. Iowans deserve nothing less.”  
Sands’ victory ends the Republican party’s 15 year legislative trifecta and control of the governor’s office.
The statewide results also showed several close contests for other constitutional offices.
In the race for auditor of state, Democrat Taylor Wettach received 666,632 votes, or 50.19%, narrowly defeating Republican Chris Cournoyer, who received 660,159 votes, or 49.7%. Write-in candidates received 1,375 votes.
Democrat Nate Willems won the attorney general’s race with 681,097 votes, or 50.83%. Republican incumbent Brenna Bird received 657,405 votes, or 49.06%. Write-in candidates received 1,527 votes.
Republican candidates won several other statewide offices.
Secretary of State Paul D. Pate received 711,766 votes, or 53.16%, defeating Democrat Ryan Peterman, who received 625,867 votes, or 46.75%.
Republican Roby Smith won the treasurer’s race with 664,948 votes, or 50.3%, compared with 655,763 votes, or 49.6%, for Democrat John Norwood. Write-in candidates received 1,321 votes.
In the secretary of agriculture contest, Republican Mike Naig received 701,882 votes, or 52.68%, defeating Democrat Chris Jones, who received 629,249 votes, or 47.23%. Write-in candidates received 1,185 votes.
In Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, Republican Chris McGowan defeated Democrat Dave Dawson. McGowan received 178,845 votes, or 59%, while Dawson received 123,940 votes, or 40.89%. Write-in candidates received 352 votes. All 36 reporting areas in the district were included in the results.
Iowa lawmakers may soon face a higher hurdle to increase personal and corporate income taxes after voters approved Amendment 1 Tuesday night. The amendment was leading with 55% support and 45% opposition, with 84% of votes counted as of 12:05 a.m., according to unofficial Associated Press results. It requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the Iowa House and Senate to approve income tax increases.
Voter turnout
The statewide results showed 1,380,528 ballots cast among 2,178,374 registered voters, representing approximately 63.4% turnout.
All 99 counties were reporting in the statewide contests, and the results showed no overvotes or undervotes recorded in the reported contests.
SHELBY COUNTY RESULTS
Shelby County voters cast 5,049 ballots in the November 3 general election, representing a voter turnout of 63.50% among the county’s 7,951 registered voters. All 11 precincts reported results, with voters deciding federal and state races, county offices, township positions, judicial retention questions and a constitutional amendment.
Republican candidates led in every contested statewide and federal race in Shelby County, according to the county’s reported results. Several county offices also saw decisive victories, while township positions were filled through write-in votes.
Voter Turnout Across Shelby County
The highest voter turnout was recorded in Harlan Ward 3, where 589 of 780 registered voters cast ballots, producing a turnout of 75.51%. Harlan Ward 2 followed with 587 ballots and a 73.10% turnout.
Other precinct results included:
•    Harlan Ward 1: 381 ballots, 61.16% turnout.
•    Harlan Ward 4: 396 ballots, 66.00%.
•    Cass-Lincoln: 365 ballots, 56.77%.
•    Center-Jackson: 379 ballots, 67.44%.
•    Grove-Union-Washington-Westphalia: 813 ballots, 58.03%.
•    Fairview-Shelby: 498 ballots, 55.58%.
•    Clay-Monroe: 518 ballots, 64.51%.
•    Douglas-Polk: 187 ballots, 60.52%.
•    Greeley-Jefferson: 336 ballots, 63.28%.
Fairview-Shelby recorded the lowest turnout at 55.58%, while Grove-Union-Washington-Westphalia had the largest number of ballots cast, with 813.
Federal and Statewide Races
In the United States Senate race, Republican Ashley Hinson received 3,034 votes, or 62.21%, in Shelby County. Democrat Josh Turek received 1,681 votes (34.47%), while Libertarian Thomas Laehn received 159 votes (3.26%). Three write-in votes were recorded.
For U.S. Representative District 4, Republican Chris McGowan received 3,177 votes (66.97%), compared with Democrat Dave Dawson’s 1,562 votes (32.93%). Five write-in votes were recorded.
The governor and lieutenant governor race also favored the Republican ticket. Zach Lahn and Derek Wulf received 3,151 votes, or 63.18%. The Democratic ticket of Rob Sand and Dave Muhlbauer received 1,832 votes (36.74%), with four write-in votes.
In the Secretary of State race, Republican Paul D. Pate received 3,377 votes (69.86%), while Democrat Ryan Peterman received 1,453 votes (30.06%). Four write-in votes were recorded.
Republican Chris Cournoyer led the Auditor of State race with 3,244 votes (68.27%). Democrat Taylor Wettach received 1,504 votes (31.65%), with four write-in votes.
For Treasurer of State, Republican Roby Smith received 3,234 votes (68.16%), compared with Democrat John Norwood’s 1,509 votes (31.80%). Two write-in votes were recorded.
Republican Mike Naig received 3,408 votes (70.37%) in the Secretary of Agriculture race. Democrat Chris Jones received 1,430 votes (29.53%), with five write-in votes.
In the Attorney General race, Republican Brenna Bird received 3,273 votes (68.20%), while Democrat Nate Willems received 1,521 votes (31.69%). Five write-in votes were recorded.
State Legislative District Results
Shelby County voters also decided two Iowa House races.
In State Representative District 11, Republican Craig Williams received 1,014 votes (67.06%), while Democrat Bill Owen received 498 votes (32.94%). The district included the Center-Jackson, Fairview-Shelby, Clay-Monroe and Douglas-Polk precincts.
In State Representative District 12, Republican Steven Holt received 2,351 votes (70.16%), compared with Democrat Dustin Durbin’s 998 votes (29.78%). Two write-in votes were recorded.
District 12 included Harlan Wards 1 through 4, Cass-Lincoln, Grove-Union-Washington-Westphalia and Greeley-Jefferson.
Shelby County Offices
In the Shelby County Board of Supervisors race, Republican Bryce Schaben received 3,702 votes, or 81.54%. Rick Kiesel received 823 votes (18.13%), and write-in candidates received 15 votes.
Carolyn Blum received 4,190 votes (99.01%) in the County Treasurer race. Write-in candidates received 42 votes.
For County Recorder, Geralyn S. Greer received 4,159 votes (99.47%), with 22 write-in votes.
County Attorney Marcus Gross Jr. received 3,099 votes, or 96.54%. Write-in candidates received 111 votes.
Township Elections
Write-in candidates accounted for all reported votes in the township trustee and clerk contests. The results were:
•    Cass Township: Trustee, 14 write-in votes; Clerk, 10.
•    Center Township: Trustee, 31; Clerk, 28.
•    Clay Township: Trustee, 3; Clerk, zero.
•    Douglas Township: Trustee, 10; Clerk, 5.
•    Fairview Township: Trustee, 14; Clerk, 12.
•    Greeley Township: Trustee, 2; Clerk, 3.
•    Grove Township: Trustee, 8; Clerk, 3.
•    Jackson Township: Trustee, 18; Clerk, 17.
•    Jefferson Township: Trustee, 9; Clerk, 5.
•    Lincoln Township: Trustee, 14; Clerk, 8.
•    Monroe Township: Trustee, 11; Clerk, 8.
•    Polk Township: Trustee, 9; Clerk, 6.
•    Shelby Township: Trustee, 10; Clerk, 4.
•    Union Township: Trustee, 14; Clerk, 13.
•    Washington Township: Trustee, 12; Clerk, 9.
•    Westphalia Township: Trustee, 13; Clerk, 11.
The reported results identify the candidates as write-ins but do not provide their individual names.
County Hospital and Agricultural Extension Boards
Four positions were available on the Shelby County Hospital Board of Trustees.
Jim Zimmerman led the field with 3,314 votes (27.40%). Kathleen Kohorst received 3,204 votes (26.49%), Heather Kohles received 2,826 (23.37%), and Janis Norgaard received 2,721 (22.50%). Write-in candidates received 30 votes.
The four highest vote-getters were Zimmerman, Kohorst, Kohles and Norgaard.
For the Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner position, Allan A. Reinig received 3,314 votes (97.53%). Write-in candidates received 84 votes (2.47%).
Five positions were available on the County Agricultural Extension Council. The reported results were:
•    Brenda Arkfeld: 2,887 votes (21.70%).
•    Michael Joseph Rueschenberg: 2,825 votes (21.24%).
•    Elaine M. Baughman: 2,765 votes (20.79%).
•    Amy M. McLaughlin: 2,506 votes (18.84%).
•    Mollie Hack: 2,292 votes (17.23%).
•    Write-in candidates: 27 votes (0.20%).
Judicial Retention Results
Shelby County voters supported retaining every judge listed on the ballot, with all judicial retention questions receiving more Yes votes than No votes.
For the Iowa Court of Appeals:
•    Sharon Soorholtz Greer: 2,112 Yes (73.95%); 744 No (26.05%).
•    John M. Sandy: 1,918 Yes (70.46%); 804 No (29.54%).
•    Julie A. Schumacher: 2,118 Yes (75.03%); 705 No (24.97%).
For District 4 judges:
•    Margaret J. Reyes: 1,952 Yes (71.69%); 771 No (28.31%).
•    Amy L. Zacharias: 2,196 Yes (76.28%); 683 No (23.72%).
•    Justin R. Wyatt: 1,897 Yes (70.84%); 781 No (29.16%).
•    Donna Bothwell: 1,922 Yes (71.13%); 780 No (28.87%).
•    Craig Michael Dreismeier: 1,813 Yes (66.95%); 895 No (33.05%).
•    Michael Donn Hooper: 1,858 Yes (69.74%); 806 No (30.26%).
For District 4 associate judges:
•    Matthew A. Schuling: 1,906 Yes (71.36%); 765 No (28.64%).
•    Scott Strait: 1,900 Yes (71.48%); 758 No (28.52%).
•    Ashley N. West-Joons: 1,847 Yes (69.05%); 828 No (30.95%).
Zacharias received the highest percentage of Yes votes among the judicial retention questions, at 76.28%. Dreismeier recorded the lowest Yes percentage, at 66.95%.
Constitutional Amendment
Shelby County voters also approved Constitutional Amendment 1, with 2,554 Yes votes (66.41%) compared with 1,292 No votes (33.59%).
Election Results Reflect Countywide Participation
With 5,049 ballots cast from 7,951 registered voters, Shelby County recorded a 63.50% turnout. The results covered all 11 reporting precincts and included federal, state, county and township contests, along with judicial retention questions and the constitutional amendment.