Mitchell, Widbin defeated in Republican primaries

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Finkenauer falls on Democratic side of Tuesday's election

DES MOINES – Iowa Rep. Joe Mitchell (R-Wayland) was ousted in Tuesday's primary voting for State Rep. District 87.

Mitchell, whose district has changed for the upcoming term due to state redistricting, is serving his second term representing southeast Iowa, including northwest Lee County.

The new 87th district no longer includes Lee County.

The only other local race contested was for the new State Representative for District 99 where TJ Widbin lost in his first ever attempt for elected office. Widbin was defeated by Matthew Rinker 728 to 595. The new district includes northeastern Lee County.

Martin Graber ran unopposed on the Republican ticket and garnered 931 votes with just three write-ins.

At the federal level, Michael Franken ousted Abby Finkenauer for the Democratic challenger to Charles Grassley, who was chosen as the Republican candidate for six more years. Franken won by 20,900. Grassley won his primary by 91,500.

Christina Bohannan, running unopposed to be the Democratic challenger to Marianette Miller-Meeks for the new District 1 U.S. Representative seat in Iowa, garnered 37,267, while Miller-Meeks received 40,833.

Governor Kim Reynolds got 184,866 votes, while Democratic challenger Deirdra DeJear garnered 145,316.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said more than 356,000 registered Iowans voted in Tuesday's election, or about 16.5% of all registered voters. More than 73,000 of those votes were cast absentee, the second highest total for a primary election in the state's history.

The unofficial turnout by political party was 195,355 Republicans and 156,589 Democrats. 

Secretary Pate extends his thanks to Iowa voters, poll workers, and county election officials for ensuring a clean, smooth primary election process. 

“I think it went fantastic,” Secretary Pate said. “I’ve got to compliment all the voters and our unsung heroes, those poll workers. They came through with flying colors. We saw thousands of Iowans coming out to have their voice heard and democracy in action.” 

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