(Le Mars) — State Senator Randy Feenstra has defeated incumbent Congressman Steve King for the republican nomination for the Iowa 4th Congressional District. Feenstra, of Hull, was able to defeat King in Plymouth County by a
vote of 1,745 to 1,181, or 53 percent to King’s 36 percent. Feenstra was also able to defeat King for the entire 39-county district. The Sioux County State Senator garnered 36,797 votes or 45 percent to King’s 28,977 votes or 35 percent. Feenstra posted a video on Facebook on Tuesday night.
Feenstra raised and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars for his race, dwarfing King’s campaign account. Well-known Republicans like former Governor Terry Branstad and Bob Vander Plaats publicly endorsed Feenstra.
King was first elected to Congress in 2002. Plymouth County Auditor’s office indicated a total of 4,271 votes were cast for the primary election, or about 24 percent of the 17,792 registered voters. In the Democratic Senate race, Theresa Greenfield easily defeated the other four candidates. Greenfield acquired 582 votes in Plymouth County, compared to the next closest candidate was Michael Franken with 191 votes, and Kimberly Graham placed third with 118 votes. Greenfield also was determined to be the winner through out the entire state.
Scholten Takes Credit For Steve King’s Defeat
(Sioux City) — The Democratic contender for the Iowa 4th Congressional district, J.D. Scholten is taking credit for the defeat of Steve King in the primary election. Scholten says after three years of hard work, grit, and determination, his campaign successfully highlighted King’s failed representation, lack of leadership, and abandonment of this district in pursuit of his own selfish agenda. Scholten will face Randy Feenstra on the
ballot in November.
J.D. Scholten said: “Make no mistake — our campaign’s tremendous success, powered by an army of supporters and volunteers, defeated Steve King. Our first campaign began humbly in 2017, when establishment circles in both the
Republican and Democratic party had written off this district as a lock for King. We knew differently. We shined a light on his hateful rhetoric and failed representation and lifted up voices that had been silenced and folks who were getting left in the dirt.
Plymouth County Candidates Move On To General Election
(Le Mars) — Each of the candidates running for office in Plymouth County won the primary election, mainly as a result of running unopposed. Stacey Feldman won the republican nomination for county auditor, Gary Horton will now advance to the general election without an opponent for county supervisor,
as will new-comer Mike Van Otterloo, who will resign from being Plymouth County Sheriff on Decemeber 31st. Van Otterloo is seeking a position as a county supervisor taking over the spot held by Mark Loutsch. Chief Deputy Jeff TeBrink will be running unopposed for the county sheriff’s position, and State Representative Dr. Tom Jeneary will move on to the general election, also unopposed. In the District 3 State House race which involves the eastern townships of Plymouth County, along with Cherokee County, Dennis Bush was able to defeat his two opponents, Lynn Evans and Mark McHugh. Bush
captured 2,214 votes over Evans with 1,935, and McHugh’s 1,165 votes.
Le Mars Community To Hold Graduation At Stadium
(Le Mars) — Le Mars Community Schools is pleased to announce that the 2020 Le Mars Community High School Commencement exercises will take place on Sunday, June 14, 2020, 3 PM, as a large group ceremony, at the Le Mars
Community Stadium.
In order to provide a safe ceremony for students, the following will take place:
1. Each graduate will be provided 2 tickets for attendees into the ceremony. No additional attendees will be permitted.
2. If attendees are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been around someone that has been tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days, they are asked to remain at home. Symptoms include fever over 100.3, cough, shortness of breath, chills, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, headache or muscle ache, and/or runny nose. In short, please be looking for allergy-type symptoms.
3. Even though this event is outdoors, attendees are asked to consider wearing face masks, if possible.
4. Spectators must sit in the bleachers on marked spots.
5. Everyone is asked to social distance at least 6 feet from other family units.
6. Once the ceremony has ended, all spectators and graduates must leave the stadium immediately.
7. Should weather disrupt this event, the district will enact a personal commencement in which students will be able to pick up their diploma, along with immediate family, at a specific time and place, all while wearing their cap and gown.
School Superintendent Dr. Steve Webner says, “We appreciate the assistance provided by the Plymouth County Public Health Department to help us create a safe event and we look forward to honoring the Class of 2020.”
High School Principal Dr. Mark Iverson will be sending further guidance to families of graduating seniors.
Lawmakers Return To Work
(Le Mars) — Iowa lawmakers are scheduled to return to work today. First and foremost, legislatures will be reviewing the figures as provided by the Revenue Estimation Conference as to how much money was spent by the state on its efforts to combat the COVID-19 virus. Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars serves the state’s 5th District which encompasses most of Plymouth County and the northern tier of Woodbury County. Jeneary says state legislators will have a narrow focus.
Jeneary says with the expansion of the broadband internet connection throughout the state, it is an important issue that needs to be addressed, and is critical for the entire state.
The Revenue Estimation Conference met last week and gave its projections Governor Reynolds and to legislative leaders. When Governor Reynolds addressed the topic during Tuesday’s daily news conference, she didn’t believe the state had been economically hurt as bad as previously thought.
Reynolds says the legislature will need to be conservative with the state’s spending when finalizing the fiscal year’s state budget.
Governor Reynolds recognizes one of her priorities at the start of the legislative session will no longer be considered.
Jeneary believes the legislature will only be back in Des Moines for a few days, possibly completing its business by the weekend.
5th Night Of Protests Much Quieter
(Des Moines, IA) — Hundreds of Iowa protesters spent a fifth night in Des Moines marching for justice and George Floyd, the man killed by Minneapolis police last week. The latest demonstration was the most peaceful, with none of the rioting and looting which has followed in the past. At one point,
about a thousand people lined the lawn of Terrace Hill. Leaders of the rally asked police to stand in solidarity with them by taking off their riot gear — and many did. Activities ended with a small group standing at the state Capitol a little before 11:30 pm.
Des Moines Officials Blame Organized Agitators For Violence
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa law enforcement agencies and city officials say organized agitators are behind much of the violence seen this week. They say those individuals infiltrated many Iowa protests inciting violence in connection with what were intended to be peaceful events. Hundreds of people marched to the law of the governor’s mansion Tuesday on the fifth night of protests. Authorities say there have been clashes with police in Des Moines, Coralville, Waterloo and Sioux City. Two people were shot to death Sunday in Davenport and two others wounded, including a police officer who was ambushed early Monday. The protests were over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, who died when a police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine
minutes.
Iowa COVID-19: 20 Deaths, 264 New Cases
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Department of Public Health reports 20 more deaths due to COVID-19. Testing turned up 264 positive results Tuesday, running the state’s total to just under 20 thousand. Five-hundred-58 people have died of the virus and 11-thousand-556 have officially recovered. A record five-thousand-39 Iowans were tested Monday, according to the latest
report. State health officials say Iowa has more than 35 hundred inpatient beds and 523 I-C-U beds available right now.
