Hancock County sides with Trump in General Election

Unofficial election returns from Nov.5 show that a majority of Hancock County voters helped propel Donald J. Trump to second term in the White House. Trump, a Republican, defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrat, in a tight race, nationally.

Trump was first elected to the presidency in 2016 and served from 2017 to 2021, before being defeated by Joe Biden in the 2020 General Election. 

In 2024, Hancock County cast a total 4,335 votes for the Trump/Vance ticket and 1,523 votes for Harris/Walz. A number of third party candidates also received votes including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who received 47 votes and Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver with 21 votes.

Hancock County Election Commissioner is Michelle Eisenman, who reported that the 2024 election went well here, and very busy.

Voter turnout in Hancock County was 76.14 percent, according the Iowa Secretary of State website. Of the 7,850 registered voters in the county, 5,977 ballots were cast. 

U.S. House

Republican Randy Feenstra of Hull handily won re-election to Iowa’s 4th Congressional District. Feenstra won 4,174 votes in Hancock County. His opponent, Democrat Ryan Melton received 1,478. The total vote from the 36 counties that make up District 4 was Feenstra – 250,176 votes, Melton – 121,940.

“I’m humbled by the strong support of Iowans in all 36 counties in the 4th District who re-elected me to be their voice in Congress. God has blessed me with the ability to serve my hometown, my neighbors, and this district - all according to His plan,” said Feenstra in a post-election statement. “Iowans deserve leaders who will find solutions to the challenges facing our communities, and that is exactly what I will keep doing. Like I pledged during my first campaign, I will always work to deliver real results for our families, farmers, businesses, and rural communities.”

State House

Republican Dennis Guth of Klemme was reelected to another term as State Senator, District 28. Guth received 4,232 votes from Hancock County. His opponent, Democrat Cynthia Paschen of Jewell received 1,445.

Unofficial vote totals other district counties are: Franklin: Guth – 3,216, Paschen – 1,282; Hamilton: Guth – 4,664, Paschen – 2,413; Humboldt – 3,514; Paschen – 1,144; Wright: 3,704, Paschen – 1,553; Story:  Guth – 1,855, Paschen – 1,457.

In a post-election statement, Guth had several issues he would like to work on in the 2025 Legislature. These include:

•Putting guardrails on eminent domain

•Medical freedom, no vaccine mandates

•Making gold legal tender in Iowa

•Updating ag drainage law

•Changing the minimum age for "life without parole" 

“If someone across the aisle wishes to work with me on those issues, I'd be glad to have their input,” said Guth. “If a Democrat has an issue that we are both interested in, they may certainly approach me to see if we can collaborate.”

Republican Mark Thompson of Clarion also won reelection to the Iowa House District 56. A total 4,152 votes were cast for Thompson in Hancock County. His opponent Democrat Kyle Kruse of Hardy received 1,445 votes.

The unofficial totals elsewhere in District 56 are: Humboldt: Thompson – 3,591, Kruse – 1,42; Wright: Thompson – 3,416; Kruse – 1,286.

“The election season is over and it’s time to look to our next legislative session starting January 13, 2025.  Bipartisanship is a goal not always attained but it has happened in my short time as a State Representative,” Thompson said.

He cited as an example, House File 630 which was passed unanimously in both houses and signed by the Governor in 2023. The bill significantly increased the prison time for those convicted of human trafficking. 

“This past year we passed a law to make grooming a child for the purpose of sexual activity a felony. These laws illustrate that many in both parties take very seriously the protection of our children from those who have wicked and perverted intent.”

Looking to the future, Thompson said, “Improving the care of the elderly is something we need to work together on as well. Rural Iowa, including our district, do not have adequate number of facilities for our older citizens, while at the same time, as a state, we have more ‘beds than patients’ since urban areas have an abundance. We need to work on distributing those facilities equitably. At the same time, we need to ensure our elderly population’s care is safe and compassionate. There are several legislators who are on-board, and we will be debating how best to achieve these goals in the coming year. Additionally, our rural communities will need to work together to create and develop small businesses for continued growth.

“If you look into my previous careers, as one of the negotiators in hostage takings around the world, I understand the need to keep open communication in all situations. I am humbled by the support and help from those I’ve known most of my life and the new acquaintances since my return to Iowa.  I will continue to represent all residents of District 56.”

County Offices

The election for Hancock County Supervisor, Auditor, Sheriff and County Attorney were uncontested.

Osmund “Bud” Jermeland (R-Forest City) will be the new member on the Hancock County Board of Supervisors. Jermeland received 4,989 votes.

County Auditor Michelle Eisenman (R) was re-elected with 5,238 votes. Sheriff Robert Gerdes Jr. (R) was also reelected with 5,271 votes.

Rachel Martinez (R) was elected to a two-year term as County Attorney. Martinez was appointed county attorney in 2023 to fill a vacancy. The term expires in 2026.

Unless otherwise indicated, voters were asked to elect 1. Winners of write-in elections will be counted during the canvass of the election by the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

Non-Partisan Offices

Hospital Trustees (elect 3) - DeAnna Kelly – 3807, Jane Swenson – 3,971, Doug Hayes – 3,850.

Soil & Water Conservation Commission (elect 3) -Jonathan Hollatz – 3,689, William Stromer – 4,220, write-in – 146.

Soil & Water Conservation District (to fill vacancy) – write-in 268

Ag Extension Council  (elect 4) - Rachel Johnson – 3,726, Julie Barickman – 3,518, Darcy Ristau – 3,363, Josh Crawford – 3,573.

Township Trustees & Clerks

Amsterdam – write-in - 3; Avery – Keith Barkema – 97; Avery (to fill vacancy) – Brad Carolus – 98; Bingham – Rick Schutjer - 101; Boone – write-in – 5; Britt – write-in 6; Concord – Jonathan Hollatz – 152; Crystal – Larry Kunkel - 101; Crystal (to fill vacancy, elect 2) – Bruce Kluver – 90, Daniel J. Carlson – 76; Ell – write-in - 25, Ell (to fill vacancy, elect 2) – write-in 30; Ell Township clerk (to fill vacancy)  - write-in 14; Ellington –write-in - 33; Erin – write-in - 21; Garfield – Justin Wellik – 165; Liberty– Bob Kern – 117; Madison – William R. Keel – 200; Magor – Scott Sloan – 58; Orthel – Brad Tegtmeyer - 112; Twin Lake trustees (elect 3) – Timothy Landgraf - 60, Les Anderson - 63, Greg Wilhelm – 70.

Judicial Retention Vote

Iowa Supreme Court- David May: yes -3648, no – 1120

Court of Appeals – Tyler J. Buller: yes – 3,367, no – 1255; Mary Elizabeth Chichelly: yes – 3209, no – 1335; Samuel Langholz: 3,367 – yes, 1,181 – no; Mary Ellen Tabor: 3,212 – yes, 1,320 – no.

District 2A Judge – Rustin Davenport: 3,201 – yes, 1,340 – no; Blake H. Norman: 3,657 – yes, 968 – no.

District 2A Associate Judge – Elizabeth Batey: 3,388 – yes, 1,168 – no.

Public Measures

Constitutional Amendment 1 – Provides only U.S. Citizens, age 18 or older, can vote: 4,380 – yes, 1,038 – no.

Constitutional Amendment 2 – Lieutenant governor will act as governor if there is a temporary disability of the governor: 4,676 – yes, 699 – no.