Iowa Senate 42: Charlie McClintock wins GOP primary by 2 votes

Just two votes still separated the candidates, but a different Republican candidate emerged victorious in a state Senate race following hand recounts this week in Linn and Benton counties.

State Rep. Charlie McClintock on Friday came out just two votes ahead of combat veteran Colman Silbernagel in a reversal of the unofficial June 7 Republican primary election night results for Iowa Senate District 42.

The district covers much of rural Linn and Benton counties. There is no incumbent senator in the district because of redistricting in 2021.

McClintock will face Democrat Jessica Wiskus of Lisbon in the Nov. 8 general election.

“Many thanks to the recount teams, the auditor’s office and staff in Benton & Linn counties,” McClintock posted on Facebook. “Now it is time for us to move forward as a united Republican team and prepare for the general election in November."

McClintock thanked Silbernagel “for running a professional campaign, a tremendous ground game, and service to his community & country.”

“Always remember, your voice and VOTE counts,” McClintock wrote.

McClintock, of Alburnett, and Silbernagel, of Vinton, defeated Justin Wasson of Cedar Rapids, with Silbernagel in the lead on June 7 with 1,514 votes out of 3,729 ballots cast, according to unofficial results. He was followed by McClintock with 1,512 votes.

Following the recount, McClintock picked up three votes from ballots cast in Linn County initially marked as undervotes on June 7, but which a recount board — including representatives from both campaigns — determined were votes for McClintock.

Another five recorded undervotes in Benton County were determined to be valid votes for both candidates.

By Friday afternoon, after Benton County certified the recount results, McClintock was ahead with 1,518 votes to Silbernagel’s 1,516, according to the Iowa Secretary of State’s website.

“The recount is finished and unfortunately it did not go how we had hoped,” Silbernagel posted on Facebook. “That said, let me be the first to congratulate Charlie McClintock on his nomination.”

School vouchers

The candidates shared similar views on some issues — their opposition to abortion, for example — but split on a proposal to use public funds for private school scholarships, potentially swaying voters in the race.

McClintock, who represents House District 95, opposed Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds’ school voucher bill that would divert some taxpayer funds toward scholarships for students to attend private schools, but said his future positions would be determined by the desires of his constituents.

Silbernagel said he would support similar bills.

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