Republicans Not Seeking Recounts in Primaries
By Rod Boshart, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Jun. 14–DES MOINES — There will be no recounts in two tightly contested primary election outcomes last week.
Linda Langenberg of the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office said none of the losing Republicans in either the U.S. Senate nomination or the 2nd Congressional District nomination contests contacted county auditors by Friday to request a vote recount.
“We didn’t hear from a single county,” she said.
According to unofficial county canvass results this week, Marion political newcomer Christopher Reed topped the U.S. Senate vote totals and Ottumwa ophthalmologist Mariannette MillerMeeks was the top vote-getter in the GOP race for the U.S. House nomination in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District.
Reed, 36, a U.S. Navy veteran who owns a telephone answering service, garnered 24,916 votes, or 35.26 percent, to claim the right to challenge incumbent Sen. Tom Harkin, 68, a four-term Democrat, in November.
Second place went to Stratford attorney and former state legislator George Eichhorn, 53, who netted 24,392 votes, or 34.52 percent. Cedar Rapids businessman Steve Rathje, 52, finished third with 21,106 votes, or 24.87 percent.
In the 2nd District race, Miller-Meeks polled 7,372 ballots, followed by Peter Teahen of Cedar Rapids with 7,255 votes and Lee Harder of Mount Pleasant third with 2,258 votes. Miller-Meeks will challenge first-term U.S. Rep. David Loebsack, a Democrat from Mount Vernon, in the fall.
Langenberg said she expect ed the statewide voter canvass of the June 3 primary election results to be held June 23.
Contact the writer: (515) 243-7220 or rod.boshart@gazcomm.com
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Copyright (c) 2008, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
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