Presumptive Republican nominee for District 1 Tama County Supervisor Curt Hilmer (left) returns his primary ballot on Tuesday, June 7, in Dysart while election official Jo Palmer (right) looks on. -Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

After peppering much of the eastern half of Tama County with his signature signs, Curt Hilmer of Dysart was triumphant Tuesday night in the race for the Republican nomination for District 1 Supervisor – winning resoundingly with more than 41 percent of the vote share and beating three other candidates in the process.

Contacted just minutes before 9:00 p.m. with news of his victory by the North Tama Telegraph, Hilmer stated he was both “relieved” and “grateful” to have won his party’s nomination.

Hilmer, 57, a 25-year veteran employee of the Tama County Secondary Roads Dept., ran a primary campaign bolstered by his deep county roots, particularly in the Dysart area where he spent many years coaching high school wrestling and football. The bulk of Hilmer’s votes, some 46 percent, came from the Geneseo/Clark precinct which includes Dysart.

“With 25 years of experience, I feel I can definitely have a positive impact with all the departments of the county, [in terms of the budget] and getting the secondary roads taken care of better,” Hilmer told the Telegraph last spring after announcing his candidacy. “I enjoy working with people and look forward to that.”

Hilmer will face his coworker Randie Brodigan in Iowa’s General Election on Tuesday, November 8, in the race for county supervisor.

Geneseo-Clark precinct chair/captain Cheryl Raub (right) works the polls in Dysart on Tuesday, June 7, during Iowa's Primary Election while voter Richard Arp (left) obtains his ballot in the background. -Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Brodigan, who is retiring June 30 from the roads department, ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination and received 198 votes.

Following a long day on Tuesday for poll workers and election officials across Tama County, record turnout in the Geneseo/Clark precinct seemed likely as of 5:00 p.m. with more than 266 people casting a ballot at that point, precinct chair/captain Cheryl Raub said.

The high turnout appeared driven by the four-way race for supervisor – a race that only came about following longtime supervisor Larry Vest’s announcement this past spring he would be retiring at the end of his term.

“It’s one of highest [turnout] primaries I’ve ever worked,” Raub said. “It’s just been steady all day long.”

The following results are final unofficial results – including absentee ballots – from county auditors’ offices as the newspaper went to press Wednesday. The election canvass in Tama County will take place during a future Tama County Supervisors’ meeting at the Tama County Administration Building in Toledo.

Voters in the Geneseo-Clark precinct work on their primary ballots in the Dysart Community Center on Tuesday, June 7. -Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Republican Primary: Tama County Supervisors District 1

Vote for no more than one

Tiffany L. Feisel 49

Jim Niebergall 259

Maurice McWhirter 150

Curt Hilmer 330

Republican Primary: State Representative District 76

In the state legislative race for the Republican nomination for House District 76 – which no longer includes incumbent Dean Fisher (R-Montour) following redistricting last fall – a two-way challenge arose between Cedar Falls resident, community organizer/political consultant Tony Chavez and rural Hudson native, farmer/rancher Derek Wulf.

Wulf captured the nomination Tuesday night with almost 70 percent of the vote share and will face Democratic nominee Kate Wyatt of Hudson in Iowa’s General Election on Nov. 8.

“What an honor to win the District 76 Primary race!” Wulf posted on his personal Facebook page late Tuesday evening. “I’m excited and eager to get to work on the general election. Rural Iowa and its hard working people deserve a strong voice in Des Moines. … I want to give a special thanks to Tony Chavez for a clean race. Tony has a bright future and will do good things for the Republican Party.”

State Representative District 76 – GOP Primary

Vote for no more than one

Tony Chavez 575

Derek Wulf 1,303

*Unofficial results are missing one Black Hawk County precinct.

Republican Primary: State Representative District 53

In the state legislative race for the Republican nomination for House District 53, two incumbents squared off following redistricting – Dave Maxwell of rural Gibson and Dean Fisher of rural Montour. The newly formed District 53 includes all of Poweshiek County and most of Tama County excluding the communities of Dysart, Traer, and Buckingham in the northeast corner.

“It looks like a solid win for us tonight!” Fisher posted on his personal Facebook page Tuesday evening. “Overall it’s looking like Pro Life and Pro Parent candidates are winning big.”

Fisher captured the nomination Tuesday night with more than 62 percent of the vote share and will face Democratic nominee Sarah Smith of Grinnell in Iowa’s General Election on Nov. 8.

State Representative District 53 – GOP Primary

Vote for no more than one

David E. Maxwell 856

Dean Fisher 1,420