Cerro Gordo County — Recount again in Supervisors District 3 — Watts, Hepperly win big

MASON CITY — For the second straight time, the Cerro Gordo County Supervisors District Three race will be decided by a recount. Incumbent Democrat Lori Meacham Ginapp holds a two-vote lead currently in her bid for re-election, with Meacham Ginapp having 3107 votes and Republican challenger Carl Ginapp having 3105.

Ginapp says he will request a recount on Wednesday.  “I knew it was going to be a tight race. With two votes that is so close, definitely a recount is the next step of the process.”

Ginapp says he looks forward to the recount process after a well-run campaign.   “It’s been a long, hard-fought campaign. Everything was positive, and I think we did a good job. Now it’s just waiting to see if the recount makes a difference or not.”

Meacham Ginapp says it was a well-run race by both campaigns that resulted in another tight vote count.   “There will be a recount, and you know I have faith in the electoral system. There was a recount last time. No matter what, we’re all going to have to work together. Now the supervisors have worked together now and we will just continue working that way now.”

On election night in 2022, Meacham Ginapp held a three-vote lead over Don O’Connor. Meacham Ginapp after the recount gained a vote while O’Connor lost a vote. 

MASON CITY — Chris Watts didn’t need to face a recount this time around in his Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors District One race. The Republican incumbent won by 15 votes in the 2022 election, but won by over 1100 votes on Tuesday night, beating Tim Lapointe 4273-3146.

Watts says he appreciates the support and trust of the voters in winning a full, four-year term.  “I’ve tried hard, as everybody knows this is my last term, I believe in term limits, and I’m going to hold true to it. I’ve got a few things I want to accomplish in my last four years and hopefully leave the county in much better shape than what I found it.”

Watts says he’s enjoyed his interactions with people during his door-to-door campaigning the last few months.   “That’s the secret, staying engaged with the people and getting out there and knocking on the doors, and as you well know, I’ve knocked on the doors many times, and it’s great to see and meet the people at the door and hear their concerns.”

This will be Watts third term on the supervisors. 

MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County’s Chief Deputy will be getting a voter-approved promotion. Republican David Hepperly won the Sheriff’s race on Tuesday, beating Democratic challenger Brian Koob 12,190 to 9994. Hepperly will replace his longtime boss Kevin Pals, who announced earlier this year he was retiring from the position at the end of his current term.