Primary races all uncontested locally

There won’t be many names for local races on the primary ballot on June 2 as all four incumbents run unopposed. Democrats won’t have any local races on their ballot as the candidates are all running on the Republican ticket.

County Attorney Shane O’Toole has been serving since his appointment in 2021, replacing Tim Kenyon after his retirement. The following year, O’Toole ran unopposed, earning 3,790 votes. He is seeking re-election this year, a four-year term.

County Supervisor Dennis Hopkins is the newest addition to the three-person board, this being the end of his first term.

In 2022, Hopkins won a four-way race for the position, earning 2,647 votes. This election, he’s on the ticket alone. At the Union County Republicans Caucus in February, fellow supervisors Dennis Brown and Rick Friday both gave their endorsement of the incumbent.

“I believe that Union County is in tip-top form with the right people in the right places and that includes Supervisor Hopkins,” Friday said during the caucus. “I want to thank you for electing him three years ago.”

Union County Treasurer Kelly Busch has been serving since being appointed in 2008. She was elected in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. She earned 4,100 votes in the latest election. If re-elected, she will have served for 22 years at the end of her term. Busch was spoken highly of at the caucus, attendees noting her dedicated work behind the scenes.

County Recorder Katie Carlton was first elected to her position in 2018, earning 4,077 votes. In 2022, she was re-elected with 3,990 votes.

Other races on the ballot will include U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative District 3, Governor and more. Find a full list on the Iowa Secretary of State website.