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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Newcomer Kelvin Unemin to join Marion City Council following Tuesday election
Incumbents Grant Harper and Sara Mentzer, both unchallenged, also retained their seats
Nov. 4, 2025 10:27 pm
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MARION — Marion residents on Tuesday narrowly elected Kelvin Unemin to represent them as an at-large member of the Marion City Council.
Unemin, 40, secured 50.86 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s election to best challenger Destiny Hastings, per preliminary results from the Linn County Auditor’s Office. He will replace current office holder Randy Strnad, who chose not to run for re-election.
“I want to thank those who voted for me, but I’m ready to work for everybody” in Marion, Unemin told The Gazette after his win. “If someone comes to City Hall with problems or issues, we should treat those as important.”
In his at-large capacity, Unemin — a municipal procurement coordinator — will represent the entire city rather than a specific ward or district. This will be his first time holding elected office, although he does serve as president of the Pheasant Trail 7th Homeowners Association.
Unemin ran under the banner of ensuring “every neighborhood has a voice at the table” and pledged to push for economic development, responsible property tax management and the promotion of all-ages amenities.
He faced a challenger in Hastings, a 51-year-old account manager for Naylor Association Solutions and Marion Planning & Zoning Commission member.
Hastings ran a campaign centered on promoting citizen engagement, local economic development and promoting smart growth strategies and infrastructure investments to support the city’s growing population.
Preliminary counts show Hastings secured 48.39 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s election, although results are considered unofficial until certified by county and state boards of canvass.
Grant Harper, Sara Mentzer retain seats
Also Tuesday, incumbent City Council members Grant Harper and Sara Mentzer retained their council seats. Harper represents Ward 2, and Mentzer represents Ward 4.
Harper, a retired educator and program quality manager, appeared unchallenged on Tuesday’s ballot and received 943 votes.
Mentzer received 933 votes of her own. Mentzer currently serves as director of development and marketing at the YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Area.
Mentzer originally faced challenger Charles Kelsey for the Ward 4 seat, although he later backed out of the campaign for personal reasons. Due to the timing of his decision, however, his name still appeared on the ballot.
Ward 2 covers much of north central Marion. Ward 4 covers the northwest side.
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