Hansen remains mayor, George secures at-large council seat

Of the 26,530 registered voters in Jasper County, nearly 4,800 cast ballots for the Nov. 2 city and school board elections — resulting in a roughly 18 percent voter turnout, according to data collected by the auditor’s office. The race for Newton school board was the most contested with 10,236 votes cast.

In fact, this year’s school board race nearly doubled the amount of votes cast in 2019, which garnered 5,353 votes. The mayoral race received the second most votes out of any race in Newton at 2,048 votes. The race for city council at-large garnered 1,786 votes. Ward 2 got 601 votes. Ward 4 got 350 votes.

Even though the races for mayor of Newton and city council Ward 2, in particular, were technically uncontested, write-in candidates did receive a number of votes. Newton Mayor Mike Hansen won with 1,323 votes, or roughly 64.6 percent of the votes. In a statement to Newton News, Hansen thanked the citizens who voted.

“It continues to be an honor and a privilege serving the citizens of Newton as your mayor,” he said. “Thank you to everyone who voted in support of my re-election. I love this community and the direction we are embracing. I’m looking forward to the opportunities and challenges the next two years.”

Meanwhile, the write-ins garnered 725 votes, or 35.4 percent. Jasper County Auditor Dennis Parrott told Newton News the special precinct board must count all of the write-ins of every race the day after the election. By morning it was still unclear which write-in earned the bulk of those votes.

Of note was candidate Lonnie Appleby, who launched a small campaign for mayor. At the Oct. 4 city council meeting, Appleby announced his candidacy and expressed his frustrations with the city at a public forum, saying the town was moving backward rather than moving forward.

“I ask for your vote on Nov. 2 because Newton is our town and we want back the Newton that we knew and still love,” he said. “… I believe we need to focus on making our citizens feel proud and safe in their own community. And to that end: Mayor Hansen, I also believe you are sitting in my chair.”

Appleby said a 35 percent share on a one-month, write-in candidacy “is a barometer as to how many people feel about the current atmosphere in Newton.”

He added, “I firmly believe, given an opportunity to debate at the Jasper County League of Women Voters, or being allowed by requested Q&A with the Newton Daily News, people would have known what I stood for and what I wanted to do. Afforded some opportunities, I think this would have gone completely differently.”

Regardless, Appleby said it was great opportunity to tip his hand a bit and he plans to speak with friends and family to decide what will be his next project. Appleby also congratulated Hansen on his victory.

“Above all, I sincerely thank all those who supported me and what we were trying to accomplish,” he said. “Another time.”

Councilperson Evelyn George also ran unopposed and earned 1,607 votes, or a whopping 89.98 percent of the vote. The write-in votes for the council at-large seat totaled 179 votes, or 10.02 percent of the votes. In total, 1,786 votes were cast in the race.

“I look forward to serving the citizens of Newton, as we continue to improve our community and welcome new residents and businesses,” George said in a statement to Newton News. “You can see pride and progress throughout Newton downtown, in neighborhoods and along First Avenue from one end of town to the other. Residents and businesses are confident and investing in Newton.

“Be sure to participate in the city survey and focus groups over the next few months, as we gather citizen input on what they’d like our city to focus on the next 10 years. Your voice matters. By working together, we can accomplish so much!”

Also passed by majority vote was the Newton school district’s revenue purpose statement specifying the use of revenues the district will receive from the state’s Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) Fund. Unofficial results say the measure received 1,905 “yes” votes and 546 “no” votes.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com