Morris “Mike” Miner, a Democrat, and Republican Loel Reinhart will go up against each other for the position of Howard County Sheriff in this fall’s election.
    Miner, current Howard County Chief Deputy and Jail Administrator, garnered 292 of the 730 total votes cast for county sheriff in the June 3 primary election.
    Reinhart, current deputy sheriff with the Howard County Sheriff’s Department, received 189 votes in last week’s election.
    The two secured their place on this fall’s general election ballot by gaining more votes than the other three sheriff candidates. Republicans Darwin Kueker and Kevin Heide received 114 and 38 votes, respectively, while Democrat Adam Newman received 97 votes.
    Miner, a rural Cresco resident, has served as Chief Deputy since 1999 and has worked with the Howard County Sheriff’s Department since 1977. Prior to that, he spent 15 months with the Cresco Police Department.
    Reinhart, of rural Cresco, has 20 years of experience working in sheriff’s departments. He has been employed with the Howard County Sheriff’s Office for three years, and previously worked at the Highlands County Sheriff Office in Florida.
    Republican Adolph Mick Gamez, running for District 1 County Supervisor, received 122 votes in last week’s primary, while  Democrat Dave Harvey received 99. The two will vie for the position in this fall’s election.
    Gamez, of Cresco, is in his eighth year as Howard County auditor.
    Harvey, born and raised in Ridgeway and a current Cresco resident, practices real estate at A Perfect House Realty.
    Democrat Julie Chapman garnered 363 votes while running unopposed for Howard County Auditor.  Chapman has worked in the auditor’s office for 18 years.
    Donald Burnikel ran unopposed on the Democratic ticket to fill a vacancy for District 2 Supervisor. He won 148 votes.
    Cresco resident Mary Jo Wilhelm, a Democrat, will run against incumbent Mark Zieman in the general election for the District 8 State Senate position. Howard County voters cast 317 votes for Wilhelm and 278 for Zieman.
    Running for District 14 State Representative, Republican Jeff Mosiman defeated Democrat Mark Kuhn 13 to 2 in Howard County.
    Brian Quirk, a Democrat, received 370 votes from county residents. Quirk ran unopposed for District 15 State Representative.
    With 381 votes, Democrat Tom Harkin received the most votes in the county for U.S. Senator. Republicans Christopher Reed, had 114, Steve Rathje, had 75, and George Eichhorn,  74.
    Republican Tom Latham won 306 votes for District 4 U.S. Representative. Democrat Becky Greenwald defeated Kurt Meyer 145 to 125. William Meyers trailed with 52 votes and Kevin Miskell with 23.