Another Republican mandate in Lee County

KNOWS THE COUNTY

I know how this county ticks. I know, the department heads. I've always worked very well with them, and I think I have the respect of all the department heads, and I know their struggles.”

Denise Fraise, newly elected District 1 Supervisor

LEE COUNTY - Lee County will have plenty of new faces, or familiar faces in new roles, in its government after Tuesday’s election.
Elliott Vandenberg won the hotly contested sheriff’s seat, defeating incumbent Stacy Weber by 727 votes.
The Board of Supervisors picked up two new members. County auditor Denise Fraise defeated incumbent Ron Fedler in District 1. Ginger Knisley defeated incumbent Matt Pflug in District 5. Garry Seyb, the District 4 supervisor who is also board chairman, won reelection over Teresa Murray and Jim Steffen.
Sherri Yasenchok was elected the new auditor, defeating Roslyn Garcia.
A look at the area election results:
SHERIFF — Vandenberg, from Keokuk, picked up 8,359 votes to defeat Weber, who was seeking his third term.
"This was a group effort from a lot of people in the community," Vandenberg said. "I want to thank everyone who believed in me and stood with me throughout this process."
Vandenberg said Weber has been at the sheriff's office for many years and I said it was important to honor Weber on the way out of office.
"He's done a lot of great things for the community. I think me and Stacy will pass the torch in a peaceful way. I think it should be known that he's done some really good things for the community, and he should go out on a high note," he said.
"He's a hard guy to beat and I really didn't know how it would go tonight."
“I’m not looking back,” said Weber, who had 7,633 votes. “I’ve had a great career, done a lot of good, helped a lot of people. If politics weren’t involved with the sheriff’s race, I’d probably be sheriff until I retire. But at the end of the day, the people spoke, I respect them for their voice, and that’s how the game is played.”
Weber said he was unsure about his future plans.
“Tomorrow I’m going to pick up signs,” he quipped. “I'll be honest with you, I've lived my life for others for so long I don't know how to act, so I don't know what's next. We'll see. I believe a good Lord will take good care of me, always has. So my head's high. A lot of people respected the work that I’ve done.
“The election’s over. It is what it is. I want to take care of the guys that took care of me and make sure that their careers aren't affected by their support, and I think that's the priority, first of all. I'll worry about me after that.”
SUPERVISORS — Fraise has worked with the county for 30 years, the last 12 as its auditor.
Now she’ll see the county from a different side.
Fraise won with 2,399 votes. Fedler finished with 1,090 votes. Joey Herren had 445.
“I know how this county ticks,” Fraise said. “I know, the department heads. I've always worked very well with them, and I think I have the respect of all the department heads, and I know their struggles.”
Fraise credited the margin of victory to getting out and meeting constituents.
“This is the first time I’ve ever had to campaign,” she said, laughing. “I was always unopposed when I ran for auditor, right? (Campaigning) is a lot of work. I did a lot of door knocking. I met a lot of really great people from some of the small towns out here in my district. And you know, I'm just excited to represent them, and try to do the best I can for them.”
Seyb will begin his second four-year term. He won with 1,297 votes, defeating Murray (1,105) and Herren (445).
“I’m pleased with the results,” Seyb said. “It was a long, long race, and I’m just excited to be able to serve for another four years. I still have a lot of things that I would like to see completed and there are things that need to be done.”
Seyb pointed out the margin of victory.
“I think what it tells me is I need to reach out and maybe do some additional town halls and things, just to make sure that I understand what's on everybody's minds and where we're going in the future,” Seyb said.
“Teresa was a great candidate and she ran a great race. She’s done some great work in the community. Jim had some thoughts and opinions. I’ll take a look at their platforms. We were about 50-50 in the vote, and I want to make sure I represent my district and the county well.”
Knisley unseated Pflug, who had been on the Supervisors since 2013. Knisley finished with 1,477 votes, with Pflug at 1,398.
AUDITOR — Yasenchok won with 8,651 votes. Garcia had 6,752.
“I’ve got to get Sherri acclimated into being the auditor,” Fraise said. “I’ll spend the next month, at least, working with her. She pretty much knows what the auditor does.”
FIRE STATION REFERENDUM — Voters in Fort Madison approved up to $12 million for design and construction of a new fire station, which is planned to be built at the location of the Fort Madison Public Works Street Department on Avenue L.
The referendum passed 2,817-1,180.