Write-in candidates a major factor in Pleasanton, La Cygne elections

By Roger Sims

rsims@linncountyjournal.com

MOUND CITY – On Tuesday, La Cygne officials were expecting a slew of write-in votes for the three open seats on the city council. With council members Keith Stoker, Thomas Capp and David Brenneman choosing not to run for reelection and no one filing to fill those seats, write-in votes were the only method left to fill those vacancies.

And La Cygne voters wrote a name on the blank lines 82 times.

What was less expected was that the city of Pleasanton, with three open seats and the names of seven candidates on the ballot would have even more write-ins than La Cygne. Pleasanton voters submitted write-in votes 102 times.

Pleasanton Councilwoman Rochelle Schreckhise was easily elected to a second four-year term. Kenny Stark and Sandra Haynes were the next top vote recipients, however, write-in campaigns by current Councilman Aaron Portmann and newly appointed Assistant Fire Chief Dennis Mitchell may play the role of spoilers in the contest.

Here are the unofficial results for Pleasanton City Council:

Rochelle Schrecknisse         107

Kenny Stark                    74

Sandra Haynes               72

Alex Wills                        57

David Schuermann          37

Ron L. Miller. 32

Riley Hinds 25

Write-in           102

Unofficial results for write-in candidates in all races are expected to be released in the next couple of days, according to the Linn County Clerk’s Office staff.

Linn Valley

In the races for Linn Valley City Council, incumbent Lewis Donelson was unseated by Lister Potter Jr. Potter also beat Daniel Donham, who was expected to challenge Donelson for the post.

For the two open council seat posts, Michael Hemphill will retain his seat, and he will be joined by Curtis Lee Coffman, who will fill the seat left open when Robert Suppenbach did not seek reelection..

Here are the unofficial vote totals for Linn Valley:

Mayor:

Lister Potter Jr.           146

Daniel Donham 78

Lewis Donelson 54

Write-in   5

Council member (vote for two)

Curtis Lee Coffman 168

Michael Hemphill 168

Philliip Schellenberg 100

Write-in   52

Parker

The race for Parker City Council saw Councilwoman Kari Brandt retain her seat. She will be joined by newcomer Stacia Minden and former city clerk Carrie Sewell. Longtime councilman Gary Earley was not reelected.

Here are the results for the Parker council race (vote for three):

Stacia Minden 29

Kari Brandt 28

Carrie Sewell 24

Gary Earley 17

Write-in. 11

Prescott

The city of Prescott had a high number of write-ins. And those votes could upset the final results. Keith Bloomfield was the only candidate who filed to run for the mayoral post. He garnered 25 votes, however, poll workers recorded 45 write-in votes.

Here are the unofficial results:

Mayor:

Keith Bloomfield 25

Write-in 45

Council (vote for two):

Ronald Roberts 43

Brian Bloomfield. 33

Write-in 55

In other city races, results were much as expected.

Mound City

Incumbent City Councilmembers Cody Beckman and Fanchion Shadden were both reelected to their posts, Shayna Lamb, a former councilwoman who resigned her post last year was unopposed in her quest to return to office.

Here are the results for the Mound City Council race:

Cody Beckman 45

Fanchion Shadden 36

Shayna Lamb 33

Write-in   8

Blue Mound

All three candidates seeking the three open seats in Blue Mound were elected. Here are the results:

Shawn Hermann 35

Paul Moeller 33

Marri Krupco 23

Write-in   9