Newcomer Bennett and veteran Horn claim primary victories

House District 65

Democratic activist Liz Bennett won the Democratic nomination Tuesday for Iowa House District 65 in Cedar Rapids.

Bennett, 31, a technical support employee at GoDaddy.com, had 63.7 percent of the vote compared to Gary Anhalt, 67, former Cedar Rapids school board member, with 36.2 percent.

'We've been meeting voters for the last nine months and it paid off,” Bennett said Tuesday night. Issues that resonated with voters include improving education, finding practical solutions for climate change and finding better job opportunities for Iowans, she said.

'These are my top priorities.”

Bennett, of Cedar Rapids, is so far unopposed for the seat being vacated by Sen. Tyler Olson, who is retiring. The filing deadline for state and federal races is Aug. 15.

House District 73

Former West Branch City Council member David Johnson won a narrow victory in Tuesday's Democratic primary for House District 73, which encompasses Cedar County, Wilton and parts of Johnson County.

Johnson, 49, won 51.3 percent of the vote, compared to 48.5 percent for Dennis Boedeker, 62, a former Cedar County supervisor from Lowden.

'It was a nail-biter so I've got a few more gray hairs, Johnson joked Tuesday night. 'But I'm very happy with the outcome.”

Johnson said he'll work hard to unseat Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, in November's general election. With registered Democrats outnumbering Republicans in District 73, Johnson is optimistic.

Senate District 35

Veteran lawmaker Sen. Wally Horn faced his first primary challenge in 36 years, but won handily Tuesday.

Horn, 80, of Cedar Rapids, beat Lance Lefebure, 32, of Cedar Rapids 64.9 percent to 35 percent.

'This year as I knocked doors and spoke with voters across the district, we heard the most feedback and questions about economic issues and issues surrounding Iowa's education system,” Horn said in a prepared statement Tuesday night.

Horn, who just finished his 42nd legislative session, has no opponents so far for November. The deadline for entering the race is Aug. 15. District 35 includes the west side of Cedar Rapids and extends south and west to the Linn County line.

Senate District 39

Democrat Kevin Kinney will likely face Republican Mike Moore in the November election for Senate District 39.

Kinney, 50, a Johnson County Sheriff's deputy from Oxford, won 76.2 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary Tuesday. His opponent, Richard Gilmore, 62, of Washington, had 23.5 percent.

Moore, 67, CEO of United Presbyterian Home in Washington, had 49.2 percent of the vote in the three-way Republican primary as of 11:40 p.m. Tuesday. The Iowa Secretary of State's website reported 34 of 44 precincts had reported for the Republican primary at that time. Bob Anderson, former chairman of the Johnson County Republicans from Swisher, had 32.5 percent and Former Tiffin Mayor Royce Phillips had 18.1 percent at 11:40 p.m.

Kinney said he's ready for the general election. 'I'm still planning to go door to door and meet everyone at their front doors and porches and businesses,” he said Tuesday night.

District 39, which incudes parts of Johnson, Keokuk and Washington counties, is up for grabs with Rep. Sandra Greiner, R-Keota, retiring from office.