In Webster County, just one local race will be contested in the June 7 primary election.

Three candidates are vying for the Republican nomination for the District 1 Webster County Board of Supervisors race. Current District 1 Supervisor Keith Dencklau, a Republican, is retiring at the end of his current term after serving in the role for the last 16 years.

District 1 includes much of northeast Webster County including Badger, Newark Township, Colfax Township, Duncombe, Vincent, Washington Township, Cooper Township, and parts of Fort Dodge.

The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Tommy Coleman in the general election in November.

The Messenger asked the three candidates in the contest primary race about their reasons for running and their goals if elected.

Troy D. Anderson, Fort Dodge

Born and raised in Webster County, I have been married for 25 years and we have raised two children in the community. For the past 16 years I have been a licensed Realtor and a real estate broker for the past 14 years and owned Coldwell Banker Associated, Realtors for the last seven years. I believe in protecting our individual property ownership rights and will fight for those every day. I also pride myself on being involved in the local community and sit on two nonprofit boards, one is Youth Shelter Care of North Central Iowa and the other is Friendship Haven along with the Fort Dodge Board of Adjustment where I was appointed by the mayor. My love for the community and my experience in real estate will lead me in every decision that may come before me if I am lucky enough to be seated as the next Webster County supervisor and I would love your support!

Why are you running for the District 1 County Supervisor seat?

I have always been interested in local politics and believe my business and real estate background will help Webster County and the citizens grow with the changing economic atmosphere and help us grow.

What are your goals, if elected in the primary and the general elections?

I would like to build on the progress my predecessor has made in bringing new businesses to the area and, also focus on creating or upgrading our local mental health access especially with our young children.

If elected, what will be your No. 1 priority for Webster County?

A continued focus on our county and city relationship to help create jobs and new housing opportunities to grow the community as a whole.

Why do you think you will be a good addition to the Webster County Board of Supervisors?

With 16 years of real estate experience I firmly believe in private property rights and fair taxes, I will work to keep public spending in check while also providing necessary service for our citizens.

Todd Bingham, Duncombe

I grew up on a farm outside Gowrie, graduated from Prairie Valley, went to DMACC for criminal justice where I met my better half Tiffany (Hoover) who also grew up in rural Webster County by Duncombe in the house we currently live in. We have five very energetic and busy boys. Our oldest is graduating this weekend from Webster City High School and we have two juniors, a 7th and a 6th grader. We felt we were so blessed that we started to open up our home for foster and adoption care about five years ago. I work at Cargill west of Fort Dodge where I have been just short of 10 years since Cargill bought the plant. I’m excited for the growth we will see at that site with some great help for our Board of Supervisors. We enjoy camping and really anything outdoors we can do with the kids, I also try and get in a tractor as much as possible. That’s my peace place in life, it isn’t work to me.

Why are you running for the District 1 County Supervisor seat?

I have served the people of Webster County since 17 mostly in the fire and EMS services. Started talking to Keith (Dencklau) a few years ago and knew he was wanting to retire after this term, so I thought this was a great next step in my commitment to this county. I think I already have most of the contacts one needs to be successful in this position. Between being fire chief in Duncombe and my position at Cargill I already sit on several of the boards that the supervisors are asked to. There are a few others that really sound like something I would like to get involved with.

What are your goals, if elected in the primary and the general elections?

Really just want to keep the great work Keith has been doing the last 16 years. I think we have a board right now that is trying to bring in some new businesses which can help diversify the county. Would like to keep the drainage stuff that Keith had spent a ton of time getting right going in the right direction. I’m fiscally conservative so I know that we need certain things from the county but also don’t think the county is an all-encompassing entity. Would much rather the people keep their money in their hands and spend it how they see fit.

If elected, what will be your No. 1 priority for Webster County?

I think there is a lot coming up for the county. There is still room to grow. I think in the next year we will be talking about bringing EMS to the county as an essential service similar to what Wright County has done. Pick up on attracting new business to the county.

Why do you think you will be a good addition to the Webster County Board of Supervisors?

Again I know most of the people I’ll be interacting with regularly. I know most of the current supervisors. Worked with Bob on a new radio system a few years ago. Have known Nick mainly through the fire service stuff, and Mark, everyone really knows Mark but he has been another one that spends time with fire service working on issues. So back to it, I already have a bunch of the relationships built to hit the ground running right away.

Austin Hayek, Duncombe

My name is Austin Vincent Hayek, I am a lifelong resident of Webster County. I have been married for 13 years to my wife Kylee, I have five children, Levi (15), Avenlee (13), Silas (9), Wyatt (7), and Amos (3). I am a safety manager, with a health and safety background in both chemical and manufacturing facilities. I spent six years working as a patrolman for the Fort Dodge Police Department prior to that. I reside north of Duncombe, on the family farm, where our family has been farming for three generations. I am also a member of the Community Christian School Board, serving the students and families with CCS. I graduated in 2006 from Iowa Central Community College with an Associates of Arts Degree and in 2014 from Ashford University with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Environmental Studies.

Why are you running for the District 1 County Supervisor seat?

I believe that we all have an opportunity to make a difference in our communities and have a voice heard and representation that will advocate for them. We have an incredibly diverse county, including urban and rural residents and being a local family farmer, it is important that all residents stay involved. I decided to run because I felt it was vitally important that we maintain a farmer on the board, who understands what needs and the struggles the agriculture and rural communities face and what they need to continue to move this county forward. I decided to run to be a leader to the community in the courthouse through my service to the people of Webster County and with my background in agriculture, industry and law enforcement, I best understand what is needed in Webster County.

What are your goals, if elected in the primary and the general elections?

My goals, if elected, are to use my diverse background of skills to continue to grow Webster County and be an advocate for the people. Continuously improve our use of technology to ensure government transparency and ease of access to county resources. Continue to focus on and advance projects related to improving our roads and bridges. Police and fire are vital resources within the county and ensuring all departments are receiving the resources they need for training, recruiting and equipment are advancing to ensure all residents are afforded the best protections available. I also plan to continue to focus on the quality of life projects, such as the trail systems, the conservation nature center project, as those are valuable pieces to bringing people, organizations and events to Webster County. I also think it’s vitally important to continue to examine our budgets, processes and contracts to ensure the highest level of efficiency for the county.

If elected, what will be your No. 1 priority for Webster County?

My number 1 priority for Webster County is to continue to be an advocate for our rural communities and improve access to county resources and provide greater transparency in county government. My priority will always be to uplift the residents of Webster County and be a servant leader to the people and ensure we protect our residents life, liberty and property.

Why do you think you will be a good addition to the Webster County Board of Supervisors?

I bring an incredibly diverse background of experiences and expertise in agriculture, rural living, law enforcement and occupational health and safety that values transformation in the way we do business, a vision for the continued growth and development in Webster County and belief that we must continue to protect our residents’ life, liberty and property. One thing that I value most is honesty, integrity and character, which should be demanded of all goverment and I will consistently live up to my values as a representative of the people if elected.

Other races

The United States Senate election is contested on both sides of the aisle.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is facing Jim Carlin, an Iowa State senator from Sioux City, for the Republican nomination. Candidates for the Democratic nomination are former U.S. Rep. Abby Finkenauer; retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Michael Franken, of Sioux Center; and Dr. Glenn Hurst, of Minden.

The Democratic nomination for Secretary of State has two candidates — Linn County Auditor Joel Miller and Clinton County Auditor Eric Van Lancker.

The Republican nomination for State Auditor also has two candidates — Todd Halbur, of Clive, and former Iowa State Rep. Mary Ann Hanusa, of Council Bluffs.

Voting

In-person absentee voting will be available at the Webster County Auditor’s Office in the Courthouse, 701 Central Ave. This Absentee Precinct is open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday for absentee voting for the June 7 primary election. Absentee ballots for the primary election can be cast at the Courthouse until 4:30 p.m. June 6. The Absentee Precinct will also be open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Saturday June 4.