Politics & Government
Ward Pushes Back Challenge From Evangelical Pastor Jeff Mullen in Senate District 22: 2012 in Review
The Point of Grace pastor challenged State Sen. Pat Ward in the June primary for the newly drawn Senate District 22 seat. Ward won, but died from breast cancer before the general election.
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.
______________________________
By Beth Dalbey
Find out what's happening in Waukeefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
This story first published June 5.
Sen. Pat Ward appears to have won the right to campaign for re-election in a new Iowa Senate district, winning a contentious primary against evangelical pastor Jeff Mullen, 1,732 votes to 1,350 votes, according to unofficial election results from Dallas and Polk County.
Find out what's happening in Waukeefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Absentee ballots in Dallas County haven't yet been counted, but Ward told Patch she's confident she has prevailed.
"I'm very humbled by the amount of support I've had," said Ward, who moved to District 22 after redistricting put her in a district represented by a popular Democratic senator, Matt McCoy.
"I clearly wasn't as well known in this district, so it was my job to get out there and talk to people," Ward said. "It's very encouraging. People are intelligent, well-informed and they do their homework. They liked what they saw in me and they demonstrated it in the polls.
"I believe I am the right senator for this district," she said.
Other 2012 in Review Stories:
Former Waukee Cub Scout Leader Sent to Prison in Child Porn Case: 2012 in Review
Waukee Man Gives Back After Transplant: 2012 in Review
Brad Tofteland Remembered With Scholarship and Wrestling Tournament: 2012 in Review
Ward easily won in Polk County with 62 percent of the votes. In Dallas County, where Mullen is pastor of Waukee's Point of Grace Church, he trailed Ward, but not by as close a margin. There, he came within 50 votes of winning.
A campaign waged largely in attack ads, Tuesday’s Senate District 22 Republican primary was one of Iowa’s most contentious and closely watched.
Ward will face Democrat Desmund Adams in the November general election.
Other stories on the primary race:
Jeff Mullen's Newspaper-Like Mailer Draws Complaint From Clive Resident
Ward Says Voters Turned Off by Acerbic Tone of Race; Mullen Responds
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.