Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Filing Day 12

Just three days to go after today, and the candidate list is starting to fill up. Still a few gaps: we havent's seen Bruce Braley or Steve King yet.

Close to home, West Liberty Democrat Sara Sedlacek makes it official in House District 88 against Republican Tom Sands of Wapello. Democrats made a serious effort in this swing seat in 2008 but left Sands unopposed in 2010. (Democrats also made a less serious effort here in 1996.)

In the News To Me department: Another couple of Republican primary challenges. In House District 24 restaurant owner Jane Jensen of Clarinda files against incumbent Cecil Dolecheck of Mt. Ayr.

Brett H. Nelson of Saylor Township filed in House District 38, the south Ankeny seat held by Kevin Koester. Nelson ran for this seat in 2002, finishing fourth in a four way primary. Don't forget: Koester tried to step up to the Senate in the 2011 special election (won by Jack Whitver), but was one of the first candidates eliminated at the party convention. Democrat John Phoenix awaits the winner here in a swing seat.

Stephanie Jones of Knoxville is the third Republican to file in open Senate District 14, the Paul McKinley seat.

Some Dude Alert: Republican Joe Corbin, a Ron Paul backer, filed in heavily Democratic House District 32, held by first-term Dem Ruth Ann Gaines.

In expected filings:

The two two incumbent senator races are official. Senators Jim Hahn, R-Muscatine and Shawn "Go Home" Hamerlinck, R-Dixon are facing off in Senate District 46. The winner faces Muscatine Democrat Chris Brase in November. All three filed today.

The only two incumbent Senate general election will be in Senate District 26 between Democrat Mary Jo Wilhelm and Republican Merlin Bartz. Both filed today.

(Last minute surprise watch: In the one two House incumbent primary, House 50, neither Annette Sweeney or Pat Grassley has filed yet...)

Warren County Democrat Scott Ourth, an unexpected top-tier loser in 2010, is making another try in House District 26. Ourth lost to Republican Glen Massie, who hasn't filed yet. Two other Republicans, Steve McCoy and Ruth Randleman, filed yesterday.

Democrat Eric Brenneman of West Des Moines filed in Dallas-based, no-incumbent House District 44.

Waterloo Democrat Bob Greenwood is running in House District 60 against first term Cedar Falls Republican Walt Rogers.

Hillsboro Republican Lee Harder, who finished a distant third in the 2008 2nd Congressional District primary, made it official in Senate District 42. He's an underdog in a primary against Lee County Supervisor Larry Kruse in this open seat. Democrats have a three way primary to succeed the retiring Gene Fraise.

Republican David Maxwell of Gibson files in no-incumbent House District 76. He has a primary with Larry Wilson of Grinnell. The Democrats are running Rachel Bly, also of Grinnell.

Charges flying in one GOP primary:
A candidate challenging incumbent state Rep. Erik Helland for his western Polk County seat in the Iowa House has accused the lawmaker of offering him a job to stay out of the race.

Jake Highfill, a University of Iowa student who lives in Johnston, alleges Helland implored him to drop his bid for the new 39th District seat and offered in exchange to hire Highfill as a legislative clerk and to find him a job on a Republican campaign throughout the 2012 election season.
Democrat Kelsey Clark awaits the winner. As of today, Helland had not yet filed.

Routine incumbents filing today::


  • Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, in Senate District 20


  • Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, in Senate District 50


  • Mark Brandenburg, R-Council Bluffs, in House District 15.


  • Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, in House District 18.


  • Bob Kressig, D-Cedar Falls, in House District 59.


  • Kirsten Running-Marquardt, D-Cedar Rapids, in House District 69.


  • Mark Lofgren, R-Muscatine, in House District 91

    And Dan Dolan filed in the 2nd Congressional District - as a Republican, which should reassure the Monroe County Democrats. For those who didn't hear, Dolan started speaking at the wrong party's covention in Albia Saturday.
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