Allamakee County Election Preview

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Following is information about candidates and proposed constitutional amendments that will appear on the ballot as well as information about in-person absentee voting and where to cast your ballot.

Meet the Candidates

(Listed by race alphabetically)

President

Kamala Harris (Democrat) – Harris is currently service as U.S. Vice-President and had previously served as a United States Senator and attorney general for the State of California. The California native is an attorney by trade.

Donald Trump (Republican) – Trump is a businessman, who served as 45th president of the United States. The New York native, who currently makes his home in Florida, has developed several hotels. He has also owned casinos and clubs.

On the issues

Abortion – Harris has made reproductive rights a central part of her campaign, advocating for legislation that would ensure a woman’s right to an abortion. Trump has not come out with a strong stand on the issue, though he appointed three Supreme Court judges who helped overturn Roe v Wade.

Foreign policy – Harris has advocated support for Ukraine as well as support for a two-state solution to the war between Israel and the Palestinians. Trump has advocated that the United States stay out of foreign conflicts. He has said he would end the war between Ukraine and Russia with a negotiated settlement.

Gun Control – Harris has advocated for tighter gun control legislation, including additional background checks. Trump has defended the rights of gun owners, citing the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms.

Immigration – Trump has made immigration reform a key part of his campaign, vowing to complete the border wall and increase enforcement while deporting undocumented immigrants. Harris has helped raise money to be used to stem the tide of immigration.

Inflation — Harris has said her day-one priority would be to reduce food and housing costs for working families and has promised to end price-gouging on groceries. Trump has said increased oil drilling will reduce energy costs and has promised to deliver lower interest rates.

Taxes — Trump has proposed several tax cuts as well as an extension of the tax cuts that passed in 2017 while he was in office. Harris has proposed tax increases for individuals making more than $400,000 per year as well as large businesses. She has also proposed measures that would ease the tax burden on families.

Trade – Trump rolled back environmental protections while serving as president. He has advocated for increased drilling in the Arctic and has come out against electric cars. Harris helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which funneled money to renewable energy and credits for electric vehicles. 

Other federal races …

U.S. Senate, Iowa District 2

Sarah Corkery (Democrat) – Corkery is a former business leader who said she is running for Congress because she feels Iowa can be better than it currently is. The parent of three school-aged children said she supports investments that strengthen national security and improve public safety. She has advocated for investing in public education and creating affordable health care solutions as well as investing in the mental health system and advocating for reproductive freedom. 

Ashley Hinson (Republican, incumbent) – Hinson is seeking her second term in Congress after having previously served as a state congresswoman. Prior to running for office, the Des Moines native was an anchor and reporter for a Cedar Rapids television station. She touts having introduced legislation to improve childcare access for working families and has advocated for lobbying bans ensuring that every tax dollar is accounted for a spent responsibly.

Jody Puffett (Independent) – Puffett was a late entry into the Congressional race, having announced her intention to run in June. The Edgewood native worked in the finance industry for 30 years, including as chief financial and risk officer for startup insurance companies. She said she believes in downsizing the federal government and restoring power that has been taken away from state government, and supports gun rights. She said she is unsure whether or not she would remain independent if she were elected.

State races …

Iowa House District 64

Jason Gearhart (Republican) – Gearhart is an environmental specialist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources who lives in Strawberry Point. He grew up on a farm and served five years in the U.S. Army. He has also served on the Strawberry Point Chamber of Commerce and Strawberry Point City Council and is currently a director on the Starmont School Board. His platform includes support for Iowa farmers, businesses and public schools. His wife is a teacher and he has been involved in coaching youth sports.

Ian Zahren (Independent) – Zahren is attempting to be the first independent elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 100 years. He said he chose to run as an independent because he did not fully agree with either party’s platform. He has served on the city council in Lansing and is currently a music educator at MFL MarMac High School in Monona. He also led Lansing’s RAGBRAI® committee. 

Iowa Senate District 32

Brian Bruening (Democrat) – Bruening is a small business owner who makes his home in Elkader. He has served on the Elkader Chamber of Commerce and is the chair of the Clayton County Democratic Party. He said he came back to Iowa 18 years ago, after living on the East Coast, to find that the schools are no longer best in the nation and that the state’s rivers and streams are the most polluted in the nation. Bruening said the past 12 years of complete Republican control of the state legislature has led the state down a path that has hurt rural communities.

Mike Klimesh (Republican, incumbent) – Klimesh, a small business owner from Spillville, is seeking his second term as an Iowa State Senator. He previously served as a Spillville city councilman and was mayor of the community for 12 years. He currently serves as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and Vice-Chair of the Government Oversight Committee. 

Statewide Ballot Measures … 

Iowa Amendment 1 (Require citizenship to vote in elections; Allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries) – If passed, 17-year-olds who would be 18 by Election Day would be allowed to vote in primary elections. The amendment also changes language to only a citizen of the United States can vote, rather than every citizen. 

Iowa Gubernatorial Succession Amendment – If passed, would provide that if the Iowa governor dies, resigns or is removed from office, the lieutenant governor assumes the office of governor, leaving the lieutenant governor position vacant until the new governor appoints and lieutenant. Under current law, the lieutenant governor assumes the responsibilities of the governor if they die or otherwise leave office but they do not appoint a new lieutenant governor.

County races …

Allamakee County Auditor

Denise Beyer (Republican, incumbent) – Beyer, a Waukon native, has been Allamakee County’s auditor since 2013 and is seeking her third term. She has an accounting degree from Simpson College and worked in the private sector prior to being elected.

Allamakee County Supervisor

Tom Clark (Republican) – Clark, of Harpers Ferry, is seeking a seat vacated by Mark Reiser, who is not running for reelection. He is an assistant manager at Dollar Fresh in Waukon and said he looks forward to using his problem-solving skills to help keep the county running smoothly. He has listed the need for affordable housing, better employment opportunities and a better quality of life as key issues in his campaign.

Allamakee County Sheriff

Clark Mellick (Republican, incumbent) – Mellick, of Waukon, is seeking his third term as sheriff. He is a 2004 graduate of the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and has a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Upper Iowa University. He began his career with the Sheriff’s Department in 2004. Clark touted the need for local mental health services and community-based treatment services as key needs for the county.

Allamakee County Treasurer

(To fill unexpired term)

Nicki Smedsrud (Republican) – Smedsrud is seeking her first full term in office after being appointed to the county treasurer position in August. She had worked for the treasurer’s office for 17 years, most recently as first deputy treasurer. She replaced Jennifer O’Neil. There are two years remaining on the tern Smedsrud is running for.