Trump or Biden? Voters decide Nov. 3

Against a backdrop of an on-going pandemic, protests, controversy over a Supreme Court nomination, and an uncertain economy, the 2020 presidential race is the most divisive and contentious in recent history.

On Nov. 3, Hancock County will join the rest of the country to determine who the next president of the United States will be. On the Republican ticket, President Donald Trump seeks another term in office. The Democratic Party nominee for president is former Vice President Joe Biden.

Campaigning by the candidates or their representatives in battleground states, including Iowa, has been intense. Voting by absentee ballot or early in-person voting is underway in Iowa and elsewhere in the country. Most states are anticipating a record voter turnout.

The ballot also has various third party or independent candidates for president.

Senate and Congressional Races

An intensely watched race is Iowa U.S. Senate seat. Senator Joni Ernst (R) is in a tight race for re-election against Democratic challenger Theresa Greenfield of Des Moines.

Other candidates in the senate race are Rick Stewart (Libertarian) and Suzanne Herzog (no party affiliation).

State Senator Randy Feenstra of Hull is the Republican nominee for the Iowa Congressional 4^thDistrict seat. 

J.D.  Scholten of Sioux City is once again the Democratic candidate for the 4^thDistrict.

State Office

Incumbent State Representative Terry Baxter (R-Garner) is being challenged for the 8^thDistrict Iowa House of Representatives by Glenn Kiss (D-Forest City).

Republican Dennis Guth of Klemme is unchallenged in his bid for reelection to the District 4 State Senate seat.

County Offices

The only race for a county seat is for the Hancock County Board of Supervisors. Incumbent supervisor Jerry Tlach of Britt (R) is being challenged by Donny Schleusner of Garner. Schleusner, who ran against Tlach in the June Primary Election, is running as an independent candidate for the Nov. 3 General Election.

Auditor Michelle Eisenman is unopposed in her bid for re-election. Deputy Robert A. Gerdes, Jr. likewise is unopposed in his candidacy for Hancock County Sheriff. Eisenman and Gerdes are both Republicans.

Nonpartisan Offices

Candidates for various non-partisan elected positions are as follows:

Township trustees – The names of candidates for township trustees and clerks will be listed on the ballot at their respective precincts.

Hancock County Hospital Board of Trustees (vote for two) – DeAnna Kelly and Jane Swanson.

Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner (vote for three) – The names of Terry Kaduce, Jonathan Hollatz and William Stromer are on the ballot.

Agricultural Extension Council (vote for four) – The names of Julie Barickman, Ryan Eekhoff, Darcy Ristau and Kody Trampel are on the ballot.

Judicial Ballot

Voters will be asked to decide whether or not judges should be retained in office at the Iowa Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and District Court levels. Judges whose terms expire are as follows: 

Supreme Court – Susan Kay Christensen, Edward Mansfield, Christopher McDonald and Thomas Waterman.

Court of Appeals – Thomas N. Bower, David May, Julie A Schumacher, Sharon Soorholtz Greer

District Associate Judge District 2A – Gregg Rosenbladt, DeDra Schroeder, Colleen D. Weiland, Christopher Foy.

District 2A Associate Judge – Adam D. Sauer, Karen Kaufman Salic.

Constitutional Convention

Finally, the ballot includes a question asking: “Shall there be a convention to revise the Constitution, and propose amendment or amendments to same.” The Iowa Constitution requires that the question be placed on the ballot every 10 years. If approved by voters, the legislature creates the rules for election of delegates to a constitutional convention, and the process for submitting proposed amendments, up for a vote by the people.