Ernst's Move To U.S. Senate Sets Up Special Election

U.S. Senator-elect Joni Ernst has formally resigned from the District 12 seat in the Iowa State Senate, forcing Gov. Terry Branstad to call for a special election on Tuesday, Dec. 30, to select her replacement.

Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, defeated Democrat Bruce Braley in the Nov. 4 general election to claim the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Tom Harkin. Ernst delivered her letter of resignation, effective immediately, to Branstad on Friday.

“United States Senator-elect Joni Ernst has served her state and country as a soldier in the Iowa National Guard, local elected official and as a state senator,” Branstad said. “Though I’m disappointed to lose Senator-elect Ernst’s leadership in the Iowa Legislature, I know she will be a strong voice of Iowa common sense in Washington, D.C.”

Four candidates have announced their intentions to run for the District 12 state senate seat - Fremont County Supervisor Cara Morgan (R-Hamburg), cattle farmer Seth Watkins (R-Clarinda), Montgomery County political activist Margaret Stoldorf (R-Red Oak) and District 23 State Rep. Mark Costello (R-Imogene). District 12 includes Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, Page, Taylor and Ringgold counties.

Mills County Auditor Carol Robertson said polls on Dec. 30 will  be open from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Voting will take place at normal polling sites with one exception - residents from all three wards within the city limits of Glenwood (including those who normally vote at the American Legion hall) will cast their ballots at the Mills County Courthouse.

The county courthouse will still be observing the scheduled holiday closing for Christmas Dec. 25-26, but the auditor’s office will be open Saturday, Dec. 27, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. for absentee voting. Additional information may be obtained by calling the  auditor’s office at 527-3146 or e-mailing Robertson at crobertson@millscoia.us.