Barry Ehrig (R-Grundy Center).

REINBECK – A three-way Republican primary race for retiring Grundy County District 4 Supervisor Mark A. Schildroth’s seat was overwhelmingly won Tuesday evening by Barry Ehrig of rural Grundy Center, according to unofficial results posted to the Iowa secretary of state’s website.

Ehrig, 62, handily defeated both Patrick Knaack and Lon C. Larsen to become the Republican nominee in this coming November’s general election by earning more than 69% of the vote share with 241 votes. Larsen had 59 votes and Knaack had 48. There was also one write-in vote as part of the Precinct 6 race.

Due to no Democrats filing for the primary election and no nonparty political organization (NPPO) candidates qualifying for the general election ballot by the deadline of Tuesday, June 2, at 5 p.m., Ehrig, a farm manager and current Washington Township trustee, will more than likely run unopposed for the District 4 seat in the 2026 general election set to take place Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The newspaper reached out to Ehrig late Tuesday evening for comment regarding the results. In an emailed statement Wednesday morning he said, “I am honored by the support I have received from voters across District 4. A huge thank-you goes out to the supporters, friends, and family members who offered their time and talents to help make this campaign successful. I am grateful for the trust voters have placed in me and take that responsibility seriously.

“Leading up to the primary, I was fortunate to meet with many residents of District 4 and receive a great deal of valuable feedback. In the time remaining before the November election, I plan to continue along that path. While there is a possibility that I may run unopposed in November, I believe it is important for both me and the voters of District 4 that I continue to actively campaign and engage with the community.”

Voters in Grundy County Precinct 6 cast their ballots at the Reinbeck Memorial Building this past Tuesday morning as part of Iowa’s 2026 Primary Election. Just before noon, the precinct had seen nearly 140 people cast a ballot in either the Democratic or Republican primary elections. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

In his candidate Q&A with the newspaper last month, Ehrig said he felt he had both the time and energy required “to be a devoted supervisor and fulfill the expectations of both the board and the residents of District 4.”

“I also have the skills and experience necessary to weigh options and make critical decisions,” he added. “The timing feels right, and the opportunity is now.”

He further said his primary priorities as a Grundy County supervisor would include developing and managing the 2027-28 county budget responsibly; infrastructure improvements and road repair; maintaining and improving rural roads; increasing transparency and communication with Grundy County residents; and supporting economic development and growth opportunities within the county.

District 4 includes all of Black Hawk Township (Reinbeck), most of Washington (excluding Grundy Center) and Lincoln, and the southern half of Grant. If elected this November, Ehrig will take over for Supervisor Schildroth in January 2027. Schildroth was first elected in November 2002 to replace retiring Supervisor Don Schildroth, his father, who had served from 1974 to 2002. The elder Schildroth passed away in 2010.

When asked about the possibility of becoming the first “non-Schildroth” to hold the seat in more than half a century, Ehrig told the newspaper, “I am fortunate to know Mark and to have known his late father, Don. They are both outstanding examples of service to their community.”

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Senate District 27 GOP primary

Two candidates were vying Tuesday evening for the Republican nomination in Senate District 27, including incumbent Annette Sweeney of Iowa Falls and business owner Rocky Damiano, also of Iowa Falls.

Senate District 27 is a vast district that covers Grundy, Hardin, and Poweshiek counties, most of Tama County, and parts of Black Hawk County.

Sweeney won in all five counties, according to unofficial results. In Grundy County, she earned 913 votes to Damiano’s 262. In Tama County, she picked up 792 votes to Damiano’s 219. In their home county of Hardin, the race was much tighter with Sweeney garnering 882 votes and Damiano receiving 793 votes.

In total, Sweeney received more than twice as many votes as her challenger with 3,502 votes to Damiano’s 1,596.

Sen. Annette Sweeney (R-Iowa Falls).

While no one filed in the Democratic primary, a candidate can still be nominated by convention ahead of November’s general election.

Other races

Also on Tuesday, the offices of Grundy County Supervisor District 2, county attorney, county recorder and county treasurer were on the primary ballots. All four offices are currently held by Republicans who all ran unopposed for their party’s nomination.

No Democratic candidates filed to run in any of the races.

In the District 2 race, incumbent Heidi Nederhoff of Wellsburg received 266 votes. The district covers the northwest corner of the county, including the townships of German, Pleasant Valley, Shiloh (Wellsburg) and Colfax (Holland), plus most of Beaver (excluding Stout).

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Grundy County Attorney Erika L. Allen of rural Dike received 1,006 votes.

Grundy County Recorder Travis Case of Conrad received 1,073 votes.

Grundy County Treasurer Lori K. Kruse of Grundy Center received 1,094 votes.

Also running unopposed in their respective primary races for House District 54 were Republican incumbent Joshua Meggers of Grundy Center and Democratic challenger Leila Ann Staton of Reinbeck. Rep. Meggers received 2,635 votes across Grundy, Hardin, and Black Hawk counties. Staton received 1,097 votes.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER