Primary day is almost here, and northwest Iowa voters are staring at one of the most competitive ballots in years.
The primary is tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2, and polls across Iowa will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Voters must cast ballots at their assigned precinct, and same day registration will be available with proper identification.
In Iowa’s 4th Congressional District, the race is wide open for the first time in six years as Congressman Randy Feenstra of Hull runs for governor. Sioux City economic development leader Chris McGowan is the lone Republican and will advance to the general election in November. Three Democrats are competing for their party’s nomination: Dave Dawson of Lawton, a prosecutor and former state representative; Stephanie Steiner of Sutherland, a former women’s health nurse and small livestock producer; and Ashley WolfTornabane of Storm Lake, a former school instructional assistant and director of Christian education.
In the Iowa Senate, District 3 — which includes all of Buena Vista, O’Brien and Osceola counties and parts of Cherokee and Clay — features a contested Republican primary. Incumbent Lynn Evans of Aurelia faces challenger Shane Bellefy of Cherokee, a banking officer and county supervisor. Democrat Mike Frantz of Storm Lake is unopposed.
Several Iowa House races will also appear on tomorrow’s ballot. In House District 5, incumbent Republican Zach Dieken did not file for re‑election. Two Republicans — Keith Glienke of Aurelia and Michael Schnoes of Sutherland — are seeking the open seat. No Democrats filed. In House District 6, Republican Megan Jones of Sioux Rapids is unopposed, and no Democrats filed. In House District 7, Republican Wendy Larson of Odebolt and Democrat Rachel Burns of Odebolt are each unopposed and will advance to November. And in House District 12, Republican Steven Holt of Denison is seeking re‑election, while Democrats Dustin Durbin of Dow City and Brady Meyer of Holstein will compete for their party’s nomination.
Statewide, the primary election includes competitive races for governor and U.S. Senate. Five Republicans — Feenstra, Eddie Andrews, Zach Lahn, Brad Sherman and Adam Steen — qualified for the GOP gubernatorial ballot. Democrat Rob Sand is unopposed after Julie Stauch did not meet signature requirements. In the U.S. Senate race, Republicans Ashley Hinson and Jim Carlin are competing, while Democrats Zach Wahls and Josh Turek are seeking their party’s nomination.
At the county level, Buena Vista County voters will see a completely uncontested ballot. Supervisors Kathy Croker, Kelly Snyder and Paul Merten — all Republicans — are running unopposed. County Attorney Paul Allen, Recorder Curt Reis and Treasurer Danelle Haberman, all Republicans from Storm Lake, are also unchallenged. No Democrats filed for any Buena Vista County office.
Full candidate lists and district maps are available at the Iowa Secretary of State’s website. Voters can look up their polling place and precinct information through the Iowa Secretary of State’s “Find Your Precinct” tool at sos.iowa.gov.
