Former Mayor Walter Jensen regains his seat

By APRIL KELLEY

The City of Humboldt will be getting a new mayor in January, according to the unofficial results from the election held Tuesday Nov. 4.

Humboldt County auditor Trish Erickson released the unofficial election results ahead of the canvassing on Wednesday, Nov. 12. All election results are unofficial until certified by both the Humboldt County Supervisors and then the State of Iowa on Nov. 18.

Humboldt city residents overwhelmingly voted for former Mayor Walter Jensen with 632 votes over current Mayor Daniel E. Scholl with 380 votes. Jensen served as the Mayor of Humboldt from Jan. 1, 2008 to Dec. 31, 2015 when Scholl took over the office.

No candidates had officially thrown their hat in the ring for the Mayor’s seat or the City Council at Large seats in Bradgate which required voters to write in their votes.

The Mayor's race and the City Council at large seats both ended in tie votes which will be decided by a name draw on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
Both Allan Brandhoij and Dan Wallace received five write-in votes each for Mayor.

The City Council at Large seat garnered more attention with three seats available. Aaron Behnkendorf received eight votes securing one position, however a drawing will take place for the second seat between Mike Edler, Jennie (Weinert)Ford and Sandra Laubenthal, with each person tying for the second seat with four votes each.

The last City Council at Large seat in Bradgate was won by Dale Haan who will fill the vacancy left by the death of Sue Wald.

The remaining Mayoral and City Council votes held few surprises.

The City of Bode re-elected Mayor Carol Miller with 82 votes while challenger Lisa Vohs received 10.

Bode City Council at Large seat was filled by Jesse Tepner with 54 votes and Ryan McCart with 51 over Robert McKenna with 46 votes and Kimberly Polston with 11.

Dakota City Mayor Sean Phillips retains his seat with 88 votes, running unopposed this year. Dakota City Council seats also went to incumbents Tim Myers with 97 votes and Mychal Edler with 73. Both candidates were also running unopposed.

Read the full story in this week's issue of the Humboldt Independent!