Iowa Primaries --Doing our Part

We cast votes in the Iowa primaries at this neat little country church not far from our farm. I love places like this and miss the country store, Kempers, that used to be across the street. A couple who each had a wooden leg owned it. It was classic and a "must stop" place.

On June 3, 2008, Republicans and Democrats alike took to the polls to nominate their respective candidates to face off in November.

On the Republican side (the good side), there were three hotly contested races for voters of Muscatine County.

Three candidates fought for the chance to knock-off long-time U.S. Senator Tom Harkin. Christopher Reed of Marion took first place, besting former State Representative George Eichorn and Cedar Rapids businessman Steve Rathje.

The final results:
Christopher Reed - 25,150 (35.3%)
George Eichhorn - 24,736 (34.7%)
Steve Rathje - 21,327 (29.9%)

There were also three hats in the ring for the chance to overcome first-term Congressman Dave Loebsack who currently represents Iowa's 2nd Congressional District.

In a stunning upset victory over her main rival Peter Teahen of Cedar Rapids, Ottumwa Opthamologist Mariannette Miller-Meeks inched past with 109 vote margin to claim the nomination.

Adding to the excitement, former prison chaplain Lee Harder tightened the race by claiming more than 13% of the vote.

Results:
Mariannette Miller-Meeks - 7,360 (43.6%)
Peter Teahen - 7,251 (42.9%)
Lee Harder - 2,274 (13.5%)

As current Muscatine Co. Sherrif Greg Orr is retiring after his term expires, both Republicans and Democrats selected candidates to fill his shoes.

Republican CJ Ryan triumphed over rivals Frank Draper and Mike Wade for the GOP nomination, while Democrats Dave White and PJ Brewer did battle, with White the eventual victor. He will face Ryan in November.

Results courtesy of the Des Moines Register.

Go to John's main page after Iowa Primaries.