News : Local primary results were similar to statewide tallies in most races

Benton County voters went to the polls on Tuesday to help determine the candidates for the November election.

There were no locally-contested primaries, but Democrats and Republicans did have to choose candidates for District 1 Congress and U.S. Senate. Republicans also had a challenger facing Gov. Terry Branstad in the primary.

The county-wide results matched those of the final results, in most races.

In the U.S. Senate race, Joni Ernst received the most votes among Benton County Republicans, as well as those from all of Iowa. She will face Bruce Braley for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Tom Harkin.

Pat Murphy received the most votes in the county, and will be the Democratic candidate in the District 1 race, facing Republican Rod Blum. In Benton County, however, Blum finished a close second to Steve Rathje, who had 572 votes to Blum’s 500.

Gov. Branstad easily defeated challenger Tom Hoefling; in Benton County, the incumbent received 81 percent of the vote. Jack Hatch will be the Democratic candidate for Governor in November.

Democrat Steve Beck ran unopposed for the Iowa House District 75 seat, and will face Rep. Dawn Pettengill in November.

In the Democratic primary for supervisor, Ed Sass ran unopposed and will face Republican Todd Wiley in November.

In County races, there were no declared candidates to oppose County Attorney Dave Thompson, County Treasurer Kelly Geater or County Record Lexa Speidel. Candidates for those offices could be chosen at county conventions, if party leaders choose to do so.

See complete Benton County results HERE.