Senator Who Died in October Wins November Election: 2012 in Review

Editor's Note: As the year winds down, Waukee Patch is looking back at some of the stories that made you talk, cry, laugh or just scratch your head.

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By Deb Belt and Jody Gifford

A state senator admired by voters, fellow lawmakers and her opponent, died in October but was the top vote-getter on Nov. 6.

Pat Ward, a Republican from Clive, had been seeking re-election in Senate District 22 when she died Oct. 15 after a three-year battle with breast cancer. Ward was running against Desmund Adams, an attorney from West Des Moines.

According to unofficial results from the Polk County Auditor's office, Ward won that segment of the district, garnering 8,754 votes to Adams' 7,919.

With 34 of 35 precincts counted (minus absentee ballots), Ward had 10,265 votes to Adams' 6,651 votes.

The district includes Waukee, Clive, Windsor Heights and part of West Des Moines. 

A special election was held Dec. 11 between Adams and Republican Charles Schneider, a West Des Moines City Council member. Schneider was the winner, xxxx votes to xxxx.

Ward's husband, John, announced in late October that he would seek the nomination to carry on his wife's campaign. But, a special nominating convention gave the nod to Schneider.

Adams temporarily suspended his campaign after Ward's death.

According to Iowa Code, if a party loses a candidate within 88 days of an election, a new candidate must be chosen in their place. That meant that Ward's name remained on the ballot along with Adams' and voters could still vote for either candidate. Votes for Ward and Adams were still counted and released but no winner was declared. The election is essentially void.

So, everyone who cast a vote for either Ward or Adams for the general election, needed to vote again on Dec. 11 in order for their vote to be official.