PSA - To vote early in the Primary, you can visit the Auditor's Office through next Monday, and even this Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. if you'd like.

If you have an absentee ballot, it would be best if you drop it off as well. If walking is an issue, you can pull up to the north side of the courthouse, there's a traffic cone there with a number to call and they will come out and pick it up from you!  

You can also vote in your car if you need to, just use the same process, pull up to the cone and call the number.  

...

Remember - the Primary is important! Why? It chooses who will be on the November ballot. It's a big game of "Not it!"   When you look at the list, read the names and think about them well you are essentially saying, "not it, not it, not it!"

I chuckled this morning when I saw that the Des Moines Register refused to endorse a candidate for the Republican side of the Governor's race. I was honestly hoping that they would, it would help me eliminate one candidate for myself.  

But alas, here I am, having to weed through what I think about them, all by myself. This year, I guess I've been so unplugged that I know just a smidge more about the Republicans than I do the Democrats!

Now, I'm not going to get into the local races, because honestly, I don't have a beef with any of the candidates, for the most part, and well, maybe I'll have more on that later. I'll simply say on the Republican side, we have to choose one candidate for Supervisor and Treasurer and the rest are uncontested. Vote how you will.

Now, I'm going to just tell you what I think about the Republican side of the ballot for offices outside our immediate area. Just for fun, I'll pick who I think the Democrats will choose...that's like me caring about a football team and predicting who will win in the playoffs. So, understand, anyone I think will win on the Democrat side is more of a contest of picking my winning team based on their jersey color, so take that with a tablespoon of salt, and know it's not meant to be serious.  

However, on the Republican side, I don't have a problem telling you exactly what I think about the candidates. (Shocker!)

State Races:

United States Senator to replace Joni Ernst

Republican - Jim Carlin, and Ashley Hinson. I'm a big believer in term limits. So therefore, I'll give Carlin a shot, and if Hinson wants to come back next political season, we'll see.   There seem to be issues that I disagreed with her on over the course of her term, but I can't remember now what they were. But still, term limits is good for our government, so Carlin it is. However, I think she'll win the primary just on name recognition.  

Democratic - Josh Turek and Zach Wahls. Wahls sounds like Tim Walz of Minnesota fame, so I'm going to say he won't win. (That's a deep analysis!)

Not it - Hinson and Wahls


United States Representative District 2 - to replace Ashley Hinson

Republican - In a KCRG interview, Charlie McClintock made it clear that he "didn't leave Trump, Trump left him." Back when he first ran (and won by 2 votes) I said then that he's a middle-of-the-road guy, and that's never a good thing when driving. I have never been a wishy washy, on the fence, middle of the road kinda gal, so Joe Mitchell it is.  

Democratic - Kathy Dolter, Lindsay James, Clint Twedt-Ball, My knowledge of these candidates is just about zilch. However, one has been on Facebook and YouTube ads so I'll guess she will win, and that's Lindsay James, but again, I'm a big believer that pastors and politics don't mix, or they shouldn't. Politics is a dirty game.

Not it - McClintock, Dolter and Twedt-Ball


Governor to replace Kim Reynolds

Republican - To be honest, I know virtually nothing about any of these guys. I don't think Eddie Andrews has a chance, he's not been in the media circles at all. Randy Feenstra has been MIA but seems to have a lot of money as does Zach Lahn. Lahn's got pull with Tucker Carlson enough to get on his show, and that's more than enough reason to run from him. That leaves Brad Sherman and Adam Steen. Again the,  preachers in politics, thing makes me say, “no.â€� So I'm going to go with Sherman when I vote but think that Steen has the momentum to be a frontrunner but I’m guessing Feenstra might be it, ugh.

Democratic - Rob Sand, I think he was an awesome auditor and honestly wish he'd stay there. I always loved listening to him talk. I have to give him kudos in the campaign ads, he always makes you smile. I just think the Auditor's office was a perfect fit for him. Seems like he was kicking butt there.  

Not it - Andrews, Feenstra, Lahn, Sherman


Secretary of State, currently held by Paul Pate

Republican - Paul Pate

Democratic - Ryan Peterman

Not it - they'll both be it. I think in the general the winner will go with the Governor whichever side wins that.


Auditor of State to replace Rob Sand

Republican - Chris Cournoyer, the current Lt. Governor of Iowa, has had some good ads running against her. Quite frankly, I was never a Reynolds fan, so for me, if you were Lt. Governor and don't think you could run the state and go for Governor, well, I'll go for Abigail Maas.

Democratic - Taylor Wettach

Not it  - Cournoyer


Treasurer of State, currently held by Roby Smith

Republican - Roby Smith, has one of those boring, but 'someone has to do it’ jobs, but why do we vote on it? I'm guessing he'll hold his seat just because of that.  

Democratic - John Norwood


Secretary of Agriculture, currently held by Mike Naig

Republican - Mike Naig, same as the position above. He seems to do a fine job, so I expect he'll hold the job.  

Democratic - Chris Jones


Attorney General currently held by Brenna Bird

Republican - Brenna Bird. I recently contacted the Attorney General's office and was amazed by their response time and their response in general. This girl has my vote.

Democratic - Nate Willems

Not it: I'm guessing that this will go to whichever party wins the Governor Race.


Benton County is divided between two State Representative Districts, 76 and 84

State Representative District 76,  currently held by Derek Wulf

Republican - Derek Wulf

Democratic - Calvin Horn

Not it: Both will be "it" for this election, but I get the feel that Wulf is pretty popular, in a good way.


State Representative District 84,  currently held by Thomas Gerhold

Republican - Thomas Gerhold, this guy has been a steady in the area. Always available to anyone, any time. Great at explaining what's going on if you have a question. I think he will probably win again in November.  

Democratic - Polly Denison, great gal as well. I'm just not sure if the blue team will have enough to pull it off for her in November.  

Not it: Both are "It" and will be on the November ballot.  


So there's my flip-of-the-coin guesses for the Primary and a few for November. And hey, I'll probably be wrong, that's why I don't play the lottery!

But what are your thoughts? Tell me who you like and why!